Muscle pain can be debilitating… Read about what the causes are and the methods for relieving them.

When 36 year old Aaron Powell, a software engineer by profession, woke up on Sunday morning and found that the muscles in his back and legs were killing him, he knew he would have to call it quits about joining his friends on the day long hiking trip they had planned. He knew what had brought on the pain in his muscles; he had been hauling furniture into the new apartment he had moved into, practically all through Saturday.

Muscle Pain Relief

While everybody experiences the occasional muscle pain or cramping some time or the other in their lives, for people who suffer from chronic muscle pain, it can be an incapacitating condition, with the quality of life deteriorating to a great extent. Muscle pain may be caused by a specific injury, or due to muscular spasms, or because it affects the soft connective tissues surrounding muscles such as tendons, ligaments, and fascia, or it could be as a result of a broader condition, like arthritis. It can range in intensity from aches that come on infrequently to disabling, chronic pain.

Usually, cramps and muscle pain are linked to overuse, physical exertion, injury due to exercise or dehydration and deficiency of essential mineral salts. In such cases, the pain tends to affect specific muscles, starting either during the activity or after it. Tension can also result in muscle pain.

In the United States, pain in the muscle is the second most prevalent reason for visits to the doctor. According to estimates, 80 percent of Americans experience muscle pain, of some type or the other, at some part of their lives or the other. People often push their muscles right to their limits, and sometimes even beyond that. If muscles are pushed to limits that are beyond their capacity, the fibers in them begin tearing.

In fact, severely overworked muscles can develop innumerable tiny tears. The body responds by repairing these small little tears, and this is what causes the familiar ache and tightness we feel when we get a muscle pain. While most of these just cause minor discomfort, others can result in permanent disability, especially when the back and neck are affected. While there are many therapies that can provide muscle pain relief, choosing amongst them is largely dependent upon the cause of the muscle pain, how severe it is along with its duration, and of course according to what the doctor prescribes or the patient chooses.

Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medicines
These medications, which include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, or Tylenol, are used to alleviate muscle pain. Certain nutritional supplements may also be advised in order to provide muscle pain relief. For instance, magnesium and calcium supplements are used for treating leg cramps that develop in the night. Enzyme therapy, containing bromelain, are also used to treat certain kinds of muscle pain.

Massage and Bodywork Therapies
Bodywork therapies are highly useful for providing muscle pain relief and restoring full body function. Massage, in particular, is often recommended to relieve tension and pain, which helps to increase blood circulation, thus bringing nutrients and oxygen to the muscles that are affected and also help to carry away toxic substances. If there is a strain in a muscle, a massage can prevent the shortening of the muscle while it heals.

Some of the other effective bodywork therapies are:
Reflexology: Pressure is applied to various reflex points on the hands and feet which helps the body to heal itself.

Shiatsu: This involves pressure applied with fingers to certain points on the meridians of the body, which improves circulation and eases pain.

Feldenkrais Method: In this method, new ways of moving the body helps to relax tense or cramped muscles.

Rolfing: Connective tissue and muscles are manipulated, which realigns the body according to the field of gravity.

Trained practitioners are required to perform these therapies.

Aromatherapy
In this therapy, essential oils from certain herbs and plants are used for muscle pain relief, along with any inflammation or spasms that may accompany it. The oils are usually applied with compresses or gentle massages. Some of them can also be added to warm bathwater. Some of the common essential oils used for muscle pain are: helichrysum, ginger, peppermint, marjoram, and thyme.

At-Home Remedies
At-home remedies like ice packs are also effective for relieving muscle pain, as are physical aides like wrist wraps and back braces, which hold bones and joints in their correct positions, thus helping to reduce strain being put on the affected muscles. Replacing lost mineral salts such as potassium and magnesium helps releive muscle cramps.

Exercises for Muscle Strengthening
Physical therapists or doctors also usually prescribe certain exercises, which help in increasing muscular flexibility and strength. A physical therapy course is also useful for educating patients about the importance of using ergonomic tools, like padded chairs, which help to reduce strain on muscles. Therapists also teach patients the correct ways of sitting, lifting, walking, or doing work that requires repetitive movements, in order to prevent problems in the future.

By Rita Putatunda

Can A Slipped Disc Cause Muscle Twitching In The Leg?

I ruptured a disk and it caused damage in the sciatic nerve. I have numbness, pain and twitching in my right leg. It may however be a coincidence too and the twitching could just be a muscle spasm that will go away eventually.

Back Pain Solutions Without Surgery

Asymmetry, posture, and leg length is noted. Methodical palpation of the spine can reveal muscle spasm, possible bony displacement, and tender points. Abdominal palpation is performed to determine the cause of low back pain 

How To Reduce Foot Pain, Leg Pain And Back Pain While Standing

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to reduce foot pain, leg pain, and back pain while on the job at work. Thanks!   

Pain the back of my leg, just below the knee  Pregnancy

I have had this pain all day, it is isolated to one spot, behind the leg on the top of the calf, just below my knee… Nothing I do has made it any better

Technorati Tags: acute, aromatherapy, causes, cramps, in, leg, massage, muscle, natural cure for, oils, pain, potassium, relieving, sharp

Does your child complain of achy legs? If he is not sick or does not have a fever, he may have growing pains.

Growing pains are muscle aches children experience in their legs, usually late in the day and at night.

Child Leg Pain: It May Be Growing Pains

They typically occur between the ages of 3 to12 years of age or typically around a growth spurt period. It is not a disease, nor is there evidence that the process of bone growth causes pain. However, growing pains tend to cease when children stop growing. By the teenage years growing pains seem to stop.

Growing pains is thought to occur in 1/3 of all children. Usually the pain is in the front of the thigh, the calf muscles, and muscles behind the knee. Growing pains almost always occur in both legs.

Some physicians believe growing pains occur because children are very active and hard on their musculoskeletal systems while they are still growing. It is thought children experience growing pains at night due to the overuse of the muscles during the day. The pains usually start right before bedtime. However, some kids go to bed without any pain only to be awakened in the middle of night with aches. The pains normally go away by morning.

Growing pains usually can be relieved by daily stretching exercises and massages. Stretch the muscle by pushing the foot and toes upward as far as they will go and then gently massage the calf and upper thigh muscles. A moist heating pad may also help. Do this a few times a day. Continue the exercises even after the pain subsides in order to keep the muscles relaxed.

Some physicians suggest giving a glass of tonic water (quinine) before bed. While I do not know of any studies regarding its effectiveness, it won’t hurt to give tonic water a try.

Make sure your child is getting enough calcium, iron and potassium. Also make sure he is drinking plnty of fluids. This can help avoid any cramping associated with the pains.

Give your child ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Aspirin should be avoided in young children because of Reyes syndrome.

Call your doctor if:

If it happens every night it may be due to restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you’re sitting or lying down.

Swollen joints which are hot to the touch or red and tender

Pain is in only one leg, limping

Movement increases the pain

Touch increases the pain

Fever, Unexplained rash

persistent pain, pain worsening over time, pain in the morning

pain associated with an injury

loss of appetite and weight loss

weakness, tiredness

uncharacteristic behavior

If you’re concerned about leg pain or discomfort that your child is experiencing, consult your doctor.

Author: Kaaryn Walker

Night Leg Cramps Relief For Adults

For relief of muscle spasms and cramps that are painful and keep you awake at night

Nocturnal Leg Cramps  Health

Have you ever had a leg cramp wake you out of a sound sleep? Not the best way to wake up! Why does this happen sometimes? Even when we sleep, our bodies are still in motion. We roll over, we fight for the blankets, we stretch. … “I am a current student taking Child and Adolescent Development in college and we were recently talking about children and vaccinations 

Hives And The Itchies

The poor guy itches almost constantly, and strangely enough (or not so strangely), the leg cramps have returned (bone pain). He’s such a trooper, though. He still wakes up (at least when he finally decides to give up on trying to sleep) with a smile on his face, giggling, and singing (or … Mastocytosis is a group of rare disorders of both children and adults caused by the presence of too many mast cells (mastocytes) and CD34+ mast cell precursors in a person’s body

What Causes Leg Cramps In Pregnancy And What You Can Do About It?

According to some experts, leg cramps are common in pregnancy possibly because there maybe some abnormal level or processing of electrolytes, essential elements and chemical substances, which are needed for the proper functioning …. Have you ever heard about growing pains in children? If you have a preschooler or a tween, you probably have heard your child complaining about this. Growing pains occur normally in children, and it can affect around 25 to 40% of children

Foot Pain is Not Normal In Children

The most common is when a child wakes up in the middle of the night with a leg cramp. This is commonly called “growing pains.” Growing pains should not be of concern if they occur infrequently. When it occurs, have the child stand and …

Technorati Tags: aches, achy, child, cramps, exercise, growing pains, growth, ibuprofen, kids, leg, massage, night, quinine, releif, spurt, symptoms, toddler, tonic water, what are

Restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS, is one of the most common neurological disorders. It affects about 10% of the population today. This disorder is mainly triggered when the affected limbs are kept in a still position for long periods of time. This can be while watching a movie, traveling in an airplane or even taking a long car ride.Whenever the leg is inactive for a period of time, or in a still position, this disorder is triggered.

This causes creepy sensations in the legs that feel as though something is crawling on the leg. This is also accompanied by twitching of the legs and can also be  accompanied by leg cramps . It is quite painful, especially when it happens in the middle of the night. RLS is a common cause for insomnia, since the person who is affected by the disorder has trouble sleeping through the symptoms.

These uncomfortable feelings can be easily corrected by moving the affected limb.In this case, moving the limb around can be helpful. This is the quickest way to get rid of the feeling. Often, those who sit in a single place for a long time, choose to get up from their desks and take a walk. In airplanes and car rides this disorder can be dealt with by rotating the ankles while sitting in the seat of the plane or the car. This improves the blood circulation and gets rid of the numbing sensations.

Another very good treatment that has been proven and prescribed throughout the years by many doctors is Quinine. This helps provide the victim with relief from the symptoms. Quinine has long been given to athletes as a muscle relaxant. This also helps in getting rid of all the cramps, or the pulls, that arise due to this disorder, and it also helps to provide relief from involuntary muscle spasms.

Quinine is also known to have many other attributes that make it a perfect choice as a treatment for restless leg syndrome. Quinine should be prescribed by a doctor who will set the appropriate dosage for the patient depending on the patient’s medical history. This includes the various effects of quinine on a person’s body.

Quinine is also taken as a prevention drug against malaria. Traces of quinine are often mixed with Vitamin E, and a counteraction is thus created for RLS treatment. Vitamin E is used because it promotes the flow of oxygen to the leg, which helps in  getting rid of cramps and other uncomfortable sensations that occur due to RLS. Patients who undergo Quinine therapy have reported having decreased RLS episodes. Over time, RLS symptoms can be managed through Quinine therapy.

Author: Brad Chase

Medication for Restless Leg Syndrome

While there is medication on the market for Restless Leg Syndrome, such as Tramadol, there are also natural ways to cure or alleviate Restless Leg Syndrome. Natural remedies have shown very promising results

Restless Leg Syndrome Sleep Disorder

A number of recent news stories and TV commercials have brought home the discomfort of Restless Leg Syndrome (normally known as simply RLS) to everybody. While of course those who have suffered with the disorder  

Restless Leg Syndrome

Shows example of a type of involuntary leg movement during sleep. Does anyone have any suggestions for stopping (curing) this motion at night?

Voices Of Restless Legs

When I first heard the term “restless leg syndrome” years ago, I thought it was a joke. It’s not an uncommon reaction. 

Restless Arm syndrome

If these situations sound like something that has happened to you, you might be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from Leg Syndrome. Restless leg syndrome, also referred to as RLS, or Wittmaack-Ekbom’s syndrome.

Technorati Tags: ankles, causes, leg, massage, quinine, restless, rotate, symptoms, syndrome, what