Muscle Pain Treatments, Self-Care Methods and Remedies
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Finding effective muscle pain treatments can be very important for getting out of bed with a smile on your face if you have muscle pain, also known as myalgia.
We at Iodex understand that when we’re in pain, we have a way of retreating from our normal activities. In other words, our worlds get a little smaller. So, what can be done? Here we outline some first-line muscle pain treatments and home remedies for you.
Muscle pain can affect adults and children alike, and can appear anywhere in the body, be it as shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain, or leg pain, etc. It is often caused by blunt trauma to the muscle (think banging your knee on the coffee table), a strain, overexertion (if you lifted something heavy and tweaked your back), or something more systemic like fever.1
- NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are suitable for relieving pain from injuries, such as muscle strains, sprains, or tears. Iodex UltraGel contains the NSAID, diclofenac, which will get you back in shape for pain-free movement. Because it’s not just movement, it’s connecting with the world around you and being truly present for the moments that matter.
- Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants can be used to treat acute muscle injury. They help by releasing the muscle fibres, thus relieving tension that may cause pain while the injury heals.
- Antibiotics or antifungals
If your muscle pain is caused by an underlying infection, antibiotics or antifungals will be prescribed to treat bacteria or fungus causing the infection. Consult your physician for a prescription.
- Prescription vitamin D
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of vitamin D, are sometimes the culprit behind myalgia.2 When this is the case, your doctor may prescribe you prescription-dose vitamin D to take in order to bring your levels back into normal range. If you think this might be the case contact your health care professional.
Self-care and home remedies for muscle pain
What about non-medicated treatments that help muscle pain? There are a number of effective home remedies that you may try on their own or in conjunction with medication in order to get some relief and get moving freely again.
The first thing to try at home for muscle pain if you injured your shoulder (but you don't think it's bad enough to see a doctor or go to hospital), is RICE. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, elevation.
Rest
Rest is necessary for tissue repair. Continued weight bearing and movement can aggravate an already injured muscle. Get comfortable and... get ready to stay sitting or lying down for the first few days after a muscle sprain, strain or tear.
Ice
Cold can be helpful in reducing acute pain and inflammation in the first few days after an injury. Apply an ice pack or bag of ice to your sore muscle throughout the day. Never apply an ice pack directly to your skin. Instead, wrap it in a thin towel and then place it on your affected area.
Compression
Compression can help reduce swelling. Consider carefully wrapping your injured muscle with an elastic bandage A word of caution – be sure not to wrap the bandage too tight or apply excessive compression, as this can interfere with blood circulation. That would be no good.
Elevation
Elevation also helps reduce swelling. Elevate your injured muscle while resting.
Other muscle pain remedies include:
- Massage
Especially in the case of overexertion, massage can be helpful for releasing tight muscles and helping them relax. This can be particularly soothing in the case of neck pain, back pain, or shoulder pain. Added bonus: it’s a great way for you to kick back and get pampered for a bit.
- Mindfulness meditation
So much of pain is mental. Often the anxiety and obsessing over how much something hurts can intensify our perception of the pain. Staying in the moment with some meditation – concentrating on the here and now and not ruminating over the what-ifs of pain – can go a long way in putting pain in its place.
- Stretching
Keeping muscles stretched and limber can eliminate muscle pain caused by pulled, tight muscles as a result of overexertion.
- Heat patch
Heat can be used to relieve muscle pain (hello hot water bottle), and heat patches are a convenient way to get this on the go.
How does Iodex UltraGel work to relieve muscle pain
Iodex UltraGel is clinically proven to shorten your recovery time3 and provide targeted relief from pain. Muscle pain is generally attributed to internal inflammation of muscles.5 Iodex UltraGel contains diclofenac, which works by reducing chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. Its Emulgel technology helps the gel to penetrate deep through the skin to enhance delivery of the active ingredient, diclofenac, to the site of pain and swelling, making it an effective pain reliever.4
Iodex UltraGel’s Emulgel formulation allows it to permeate the skin 7 times deeper,5 thus treating the muscle pain at its root. Gently massage the gel into your skin and it provides additional cooling and soothing effect at the site of pain and inflammation.
Iodex Rapid Action Pain Relief Spray is a unique blend of 5 active ingredients. They are known to penetrate the skin, reduce internal inflammation and provide targeted relief from muscle pain.6
Iodex Multi-Purpose Pain Relief Balm is a power packed formula of 5 active ingredients – Gandapuro Tel, Nilgiri Tel, Turpine Ka Tel, Peppermint Satva and Lavanga Ka Tel. These ingredients are known to help provide a soothing relief from muscle pain.7
Iodex UltraGel
- Open your tube of Iodex UltraGel.
- Squeeze out an amount ranging in size from a cherry to a walnut, depending on the size of the affected area
- Gently rub into the skin above where you are experiencing body pain
- Apply Iodex UltraGel as indicated on the label
Iodex Rapid Action Spray
- Shake well before use
- Hold the container about 5 cm from the skin and spray the affected area for 2-3 seconds 3-4 times a day.
- Massaging the area is not required.
- Do not spray near eyes or face. This product is for external use only and is harmful if taken internally. Do not use the spray on regions with cuts or open wounds.
Iodex dosage to relieve muscle pain
Always follow the Iodex dosage instructions listed on the individual product information, which is in the package of your Iodex product.
Explore Iodex’s products for pain relief
Health, wellness & your pain
Pain is rarely just physical nor is it always solved by taking medicine alone. Iodex is your ally in helping you take more control of your pain journey, from the way to sleep, to what you eat, mental wellbeing and complementary pain relief therapies.
