Herbal Remedies for Muscle Strain
- Monday, May 18, 2009, 22:51
- Muscle Recovery
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Muscle strain results when muscles are over-exerted or the limb or joint is injured. The overworked or injured muscles and surrounding tissues respond by swelling, which increases inflammation. This can occur whether or not the injury results in a bone fracture.
Remembering the handy formula RICE can relieve any kind of muscle strain. This stands for Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation. “Rest” means to cease using the injured muscle; don’t try to “tough it out.” “Ice” means just that; apply ice to the injury to reduce pain and swelling. “Compression” means to wrap the injury in a stretchy athletic bandage, again to reduce swelling and to support the injured muscle. “Elevation” means to keep the injured muscle raised up to relieve pain.
Home remedies can increase the effectiveness of the RICE treatment by relieving pain, inflammation, and swelling. A physician should see any injury that does not respond to this type of treatment.
Home remedies for Muscle Sprain:
Make ice packs by wrapping ice cubes in a kitchen towel or hand towel. If available, use commercially prepared ice packs that are flexible and wrap easily around an injury, but wrap the pack in a towel first. Never apply ice directly to the skin for prolonged periods of time; it can damage the skin.
Alternate cold packs with hot packs to encourage blood flow. Boil towels or cotton cloths, and then cool until you’re able to wring out excess water by hand. Place the warm compress on the injured muscle for about 20 minutes. Give a 20-minute break, and then apply a cold pack again.
Add some Epsom salt to boiling water. Pour this mixture into a bathtub or a small plastic tub and allow to cool slightly. Then soak the affected muscle for 10 to 15 minutes. Dry completely with a towel and wrap with an athletic bandage. Avoid putting any weight or stress on the injured muscle. It must rest in order to heal properly.
Once the muscle has been warmed by a hot pack, stretch it gently to encourage blood flow. Do not stretch to the point of feeling pain. Warm clove oil and apply to the affected muscles. This will relieve pain and encourage recovery. Rub garlic oil over injured muscles to reduce inflammation.
Apply warm sesame oil mixed with a teaspoon of pepper powder. This mixture creates a liniment that will warm the injured muscle and encourage blood flow to lessen inflammation. Avoid muscle strain altogether by exercising regularly and eating a diet rich in calcium and potassium to build strong bones, joints, and tendons that support muscles.
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