Muscle aches are quite common. In today’s fast-paced life, a week full of work followed by a weekend of activities or excess workout can result in sore muscles by Monday morning. Starting a new week with body pains is hardly an exciting idea. At the same time, idling all weekend doesn’t sound productive either.
We should find a balance when it comes to pushing our bodies and draining the energy out of them. So, what are the main causes of muscle pain?
- Injury or
over-exercising
- Injuries are something we may not be able to avoid at all times. A stumble, fall, slip, etc. happen at the most unexpected times, and one can only hope that it doesn’t turn into any serious.
- Over-exercising, on the other hand, is entirely our doing. In a zeal to compensate for the lost weekdays where work took over, we tend to push our bodies beyond limits ignoring the discomfort while exercising. This is always dangerous and leaves us feeling a lot worse than before.
- Dehydration
- Taking drinking enough water to keep the body hydrated is vital to maintain energy levels. Dehydration causes weakness and muscles stiffen up, refusing to cooperate.
- Lack of
proper diet
- Unhealthy eating habits result in the body not getting enough minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. resulting in sore muscles.
- Lack of
activity or illness
- Not moving from your favorite couch and binge-watching all the missed shows will result in muscles getting stiff from being in a stagnant position for hours.
- Fever, cold, or any other illness is usually accompanied by body pains and sore muscles.
- Medications
or medical treatments
- Certain drugs, antibiotics result in weakness and muscle pain as side effects. Chemotherapy also causes fatigue.
Now that we know the possible causes let us see how to get rid of muscle pain.
- Pain
relief spray or cream
- Pain relief sprays and creams can provide instant relief as the medication seeps through the skin pores and soothes the sore muscles. Light and gentle massage using a pain relief cream will result in reduced pain.
- Controlledexercising
- Exercise, but do not go overboard with stretches and weights. Start with warm-up exercises and end with cool-down exercises. Yoga and meditation will help in keeping the body tuned and in control.
- Do not rest for too long. Extremes, in either case, will result in sore muscles. So plan the day accordingly and find a balance.
- Ice packs
- Ice packs should be wrapped in soft towels and placed on the affected areas. Do not keep it for more than 20 minutes. Ice reduces inflammation and soothes the muscles.
- Hot bath
- Taking a good soak in the tub or showering with hot water will relax the stiffness in the muscles.
If the pain doesn’t go away, occurs with rashes, or you start feeling dizzy, consult a doctor immediately.
