A pulled muscle or muscle strain is a painful injury which is caused when the ligaments tissue that connects two or more bones gets injured. A muscle strain generally is not serious. But it can be problematic when hampers daily activity. There are many causes which can lead to muscle strains such as lack of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, dehydration, lack of blood flow, accidental injury, and exercises. Muscle strain can cause intense pain, stiffness, soreness, and swelling. In many cases, the person cannot use his affected muscle for a few days. This condition can happen to every single person no matter what is his age or gender. If you have pulled or strained muscle, then you can easily treat this problem at your home with some of the mentioned home remedies.
12 Home remedies for muscle strains
Contents
Blackstrap molasses
This natural cure is a good source of calcium and potassium [1]. Both nutrients are needed for maintaining strong muscles, joints, and bones. Also, this natural cure is a good source of iron which is needed for metabolism and energy. You should mix ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, and ½ cup of honey with ¼ cup of blackstrap molasses. You should add ½ teaspoon of ginger paste. You should add sufficient water to this mixture to make about half a gallon of this drink. Then, you should refrigerate it. You should drink this home remedy two times per day for a period of one week to treat the muscle strain.
Apple cider vinegar
This natural cure can be used as a natural treatment for leg cramps and sore muscles. It has alkalizing and anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce pain and inflammation [2]. In a bathtub of hot water, you should add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar. You should soak the affected area in this water for 30 minutes. You should do this natural treatment once per day until you recover completely. Also, you can drink a glass of warm water mixed with some honey and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Drink it once per day for a period of one week.
Epsom salt
This is also a very effective natural treatment for muscle strains, muscular pains, and muscular aches. This salt is made up of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant that helps pull excess fluid out of the tissues which is reducing pain and swelling [3]. In warm bath water, you should add 2 cups of Epsom salt. You should soak the affected part of your body in this water for thirty minutes. You should dry the affected area with a towel. Wrap it with an elastic bandage. You should do this natural treatment once per day for a period of a few days until the strained muscle is healed completely. People who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems should not use Epsom salt as their natural treatment.
Warm compress
When you apply a warm compress, then this can also help you to get relief from a pulled muscle [4]. You should apply it after the first 24 hours. A warm compress helps relax your muscle which decreases muscle spasms and stiffness in your tendons and ligaments. This will lead to reduced inflammation and swelling. You should soak a towel in hot water. Then, you should squeeze out the excess water. You should put the warm and moist towel over the affected area for ten minutes at a time. You should repeat this natural treatment several times per day for a period of 2 – 3 days. A warm bath or warm shower will also help you to relax the pulled muscle. You should avoid using a heating pad because the dry heat can aggravate the pain.
Elastic bandage
An elastic bandage can help you to speed up the healing process of a strained muscle. The elastic bandage can help reduce the amount of stress placed on the muscle which in turn will alleviate the pain and swelling. You should buy the elastic bandage from the market. You should gently wrap the bandage around the affected area. You should not wrap it too tightly because it can interfere with circulation. You should loosen the wrap if the pain increases or if there is a swelling on either side of the wrapped area. You should keep the affected area wrapped for at least 72 hours or until the swelling and soreness are gone completely. This natural treatment is more effective when it is combined with ice therapy. Also, you should try to keep the affected area in an elevated position because this will help you to reduce the blood flow to that area.
Ice
This is the easiest and quickest way to heal a strained muscle. You should apply the ice to the affected area immediately. The cold will constrict the blood vessels and it will reduce the blood flow to the affected area [4]. This will help you to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. You should wrap a handful of ice cubes in a thin towel. You should apply the ice pack to the strained or torn muscle. You should do this natural treatment for about 15 minutes. You should repeat this process every 2 hours for the first 24 to 72 hours depending on your recovery rate. If you have diabetes or vascular diseases, then you should talk with your doctor before you apply ice.
Garlic
This natural cure has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which is making it a very effective home remedy for treating strained muscles [5]. You should massage the affected area with garlic oil because in this way you will get relief from the inflammation. On low heat, brown ten garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons of sesame oil or coconut oil. You should strain the garlic cloves away and keep this oil in a bowl. You should apply a generous amount of garlic oil to the affected area. You should gently massage this oil into your skin. You should let this natural cure stay on your skin for 3 – 4 hours. You should wash it off with mild soap and lukewarm water. Then, you should take a warm bath to increase the effects of the garlic oil. You should do this natural treatment once per day until you recover completely. Along with this natural cure, you can eat 2 or 3 raw garlic cloves every day.
Clove oil
This oil has powerful anesthetic properties which will help alleviate the pain which is associated with the muscle strains. Also, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can help you to reduce swelling and pain [6]. You should heat 1 – 2 tablespoons of clove oil. You should allow it to cool for some time. You should apply this oil to the strained muscles. You should gently massage this area for a few minutes. You should do this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day for a period of a few days. This natural cure will soothe your muscle pains and aches by increasing the blood flow in the affected area.
Tart cherry juice
Tart cherries have antioxidants which can help you to reduce pain and swelling that are associated with the muscle strains. Also, tart cherries are rich in anti-inflammatory content which can help dial with strained muscle pain. You should drink one glass of tart cherry juice every day for a week. This will help you to increase your muscle strength which in turn will reduce pain and soreness. You can find tart cherries in frozen or fresh form. If you buy readymade juice, then you should find 100% tart cherry juice because in this way you will avoid extra preservatives and sugar.
Cayenne pepper
This natural cure has capsaicin which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. When you apply it topically, then this element is producing a warming sensation and also it reduces the pain from muscle strains [7]. You should mix ½ teaspoon of lukewarm olive oil with ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder. You should apply this natural cure to the sore muscle. You should follow this natural treatment two times per day for a period of one week because in this way you will get complete recovery. Also, you can sprinkle crushed cayenne pepper flakes over your food because in this way you will get additional anti-inflammatory effects to aid fast recovery.
Massage
Massage will help you to stimulate the blood circulation to an area that is speeding up the healing process. When the massage is combined with healing oils, then you get a double benefit.
Rest
When we suffer from muscle strains, then in some cases is the best option to do nothing at all. If we rest up for a couple of days, then the general muscle soreness will pass on its own. But you should talk with your doctor if you have muscle strains because he or she will tell you which is the best natural cure for you.
References:
[1] Pushpanjali C, Pushparani DS. Enhancement of iron absorption in black strap molasses using Vitamin C – an invitro study. International Journal of Advanced Chemical Science and Applications (IJACSA). 2014;2(4):16-19.
[2] Atik D, Atik C, Karatepe C. The effect of external apple vinegar application on varicosity symptoms, pain, and social appearance anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;2016:6473678.
[3] Grober U, Werner T, Vormann J, Kisters K. Myth or reality—Transdermal magnesium? Nutrients. 2017;9(8):813.
[4] Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2015;127(1):57-65.
[5] Mathew BC, Biju RS. Neuroprotective effects of garlic: A review. Libyan Journal of Medicine. 2008;3(1):23-33.
[6] Taher Y, Samud A, El-Taher FE, et al. Experimental evaluation of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of clove oil in mice. Libyan Journal of Medicine. 2015;10:28685.
[7] Anand P, Bley K. Topical capsaicin for pain management: therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new high-concentration capsaicin 8% patch. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2011;107(4):490-502.
