The human body is subjected to stress, abuse and misuse until it gives in and starts responding with aches and pains in the muscles, joints and nerves. Everyday activities, which we take for granted like sitting, walking, bending or even sleeping has some effects on our body, mostly related to the posture we maintain, the stress and strain we cause to certain body parts and prolonged use of muscles without rest in between.
A sudden tough workout or exercise regime is a sure way to get body aches due to tiny tears and swelling taking place inside the muscles and body tissue. Body aches and pains are also a part of ageing, when the body is overused and affected by diseases like arthritis, rheumatoid, fibromyalgia or just weakness. Over-the-counter medications and NSAIDs which reduce aches and pain come with potentially harmful side-effects that can prove fatal with prolonged use.
Though major disorders needs medical attention, minor ailments of aching body can be dealt with deftly through effective home remedies.
Hot water bath
Adding aromatic essential oils like lavender, sandalwood, eucalyptus, wintergreen or tea tree oil to the bath is always helpful in treatment of various ailments, besides providing instant relief from pain.
Hot/cold packs
Hot packs, and its opposite ice packs, both are excellent healers of sore muscles. To have your own hot/cold pack at home, fill an old sock with white rice and tie up its end. Place the sock in either microwave or freezer as per your requirement and then apply it over the affected area. This is excellent for pain in neck, back and joints.
For sprains and injuries it is better to use ice for relief. To avoid frost bite, cover the ice in towel and use them when the pain strikes. In case of severe pain, you can also run the ice along the affected area for not more than 5 minutes, as it may result in frostbite.
Tart cherries
Tart cherries like blueberry, cranberry, bilberry, raspberry, black currant and black berry are highly rich in anti-oxidants which can repair the damaged tissue effectively, thus providing relief to the aching body.
Rosemary leaves and oil
Rosemary leaves or essential oil is excellent remedy for body pain due to its anti-inflammatory property which can bring down inflammation quickly. Rosemary essential oil is used in aromatherapy for healing body aches as it is highly permeable and absorbed by the skin.
You can also prepare a tincture of rosemary leaves at home. Put either dried or fresh rosemary leaves in an airtight jar and fill it up with boiling water. Cover it tightly and leave it to stand for half an hour. Dip a towel into the water and place on the aching body part to find relief.
Calcium and potassium sources
Deficiency in calcium or potassium will lead to muscle cramps which will cause aches and pains. Eating bananas can supplement the body with potassium whereas 2-3 glasses of milk a day can provide with required amount of calcium.
