Muscle Pain - Home Remedies and Topical Treatment Options in Singapore

Muscle pain is quite common, not only among old individuals but also among young people. Finding effective muscle pain treatments involves understanding how and why such pain in muscles originates. Identifying the type and causes of muscle pain can help in devising an effective treatment plan. In this article, we discuss the common causes and types of muscle pain along with effective home remedies and topical treatments for effective muscle pain relief. 

What is Muscle Pain?

The medical term for pain is myalgia. Myalgia is divided into several categories to understand the underlying cause better and help determine the best treatment options.

Firstly, doctors differentiate between acute and chronic muscle pain. Acute muscular pain is sudden and short-lived, such as pain from an injury. Chronic muscle pain is an ongoing condition related to an underlying long-term health condition, such as osteoarthritis. 

Pain is further understood to be localised or systemic. Localised muscle pain is confined to one area, affecting a specific muscle or group of muscles. The cause is often injury, tension, or overuse. Systemic muscle pain is widespread throughout the body and is often related to an underlying illness, infection, autoimmune disorder, or metabolic issue.

Causes of Muscle pain

Many issues can cause muscle pain. Some of the main causes include:

Muscle overuse: Starting a new exercise regime can tax muscles unaccustomed to repeated movements. Using muscles more than usual can strain them, causing small tears in muscle fibres. The result is stiff and sore muscles.

Trauma due to an injury: Sports injuries, accidents, or blunt force trauma can damage muscles. Using excessive force can also cause trauma to the muscles, for example, lifting an item that is too heavy for you. Read more about sports injury treatment here.

Infections: Viral and bacterial infections can cause widespread inflammation in the body, including your muscles. That is why your body aches so much when you have the flu. 

Chronic muscle diseases (myopathies): Chronic muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy and chronic myositis attack muscle fibres, causing them to degenerate, resulting in pain.

Chronic pain disorders: Syndromes like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome don't specifically attack muscles but can cause musculoskeletal pain throughout the body.

Neuromuscular disorders: These disorders disrupt communication between the nerves and muscles, causing muscle spasms or muscle wasting (atrophy). These disorders can cause severe nerve pain.

Metabolic disorders and imbalances: Certain metabolic conditions can cause pain by disrupting normal muscle function. Hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, and electrolyte imbalances can have this effect.

Too little sleep: Lack of sleep is detrimental to overall health. During sleep, the body recovers. Too little sleep deprives the body of rest, leading to poor cognitive function and physical consequences like sore muscles.  

Medication side effects: Certain drugs can trigger muscle pain. One example is statins, which cause uncomfortable muscle pain for some patients. Similarly, stopping certain medications can also cause muscular pain.

Home Treatments for Muscle Pain Relief

Many incidences of muscle soreness, can resolve effectively with home treatments. Aches and pains due to lack of sleep, minor injuries, or too much exercise respond well to the following home treatments.

The RICE Protocol

RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. 

• Rest the strained muscle by not using it.
• For about 20 minutes every day, apply an ice pack to the affected muscle several times a day.
• Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
• Raise the affected limb or body part higher than your heart to alleviate swelling.

OTC pain relievers

Several over-the-counter pain relievers are excellent at relieving minor aches and pains. These include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen. NSAIDs can also reduce inflammation, but they should not be used for extended times.

Muscle Pain Relief and Recovery Supplements 

Taking muscle repair and recovery supplements is another way in which muscle pain can be effectively managed. Muscle pain relief supplements usually work by stimulating collagen production that help muscles regain their strength, aid in recovery, and manage chronic pain. 

Gentle stretching exercises

Gentle stretching can help ease muscular pain. It's best to consult a physical therapist for the most effective exercises to help muscles heal but not strain them.

Massage

Massage, in particular, deep tissue massage done professionally, can relieve tight muscles and alleviate much of the muscle pain. Sports massage is another technique that restores muscles sore from overuse. 

Topical Pain Relief with Creams and Gels

Topical creams and gels are used externally on the skin. They penetrate the skin, providing relief directly to the affected area. Topical creams or gels work only where applied, so they may not be a good option if your muscle pain is spread throughout your body. In that case, oral pain relievers may be a better option. 

They are most effective for acute muscle and joint pain.

Muscle pain relief creams and gels fall into two categories: those with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) effect and those acting as counter-irritants.

Anti-inflammatory Gels and Creams

NSAID creams and gels penetrate the epidermis to combat inflammation and relieve pain. Topical NSAIDs are widely used to treat pain due to strains, sprains and musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis. 

Topically applied NSAIDs have fewer side effects like stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding because the medicine is absorbed through the skin and doesn't enter the digestive system.

An anti-inflammatory muscle pain relief gel penetrates deep into the skin, relieving pain and reducing inflammation where needed.

Ensuring the Effectiveness of Anti-inflammatory Gels and Creams

Anti-inflammatory gels and creams work well, but certain factors influence their effectiveness.

Concentration. For topical anti-inflammatory medication to be effective, it must be concentrated enough to produce the desired anti-inflammatory effect. 

Heat. Use heat to increase blood flow. Increased blood flow enhances absorption. A heat pack or a hot shower can help.

Glad Wrap. Wrapping the area around the sore muscle in cling wrap after applying the anti-inflammatory gel or cream ensures the medicine stays on longer, enhancing its effectiveness.

Massage. The efficacy of muscle pain relief gels and creams is greatly enhanced by massaging them in. The massaging relaxes the muscle and increases blood flow, enhancing the beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory creams.

Use as prescribed. Follow the instructions closely to ensure maximum results.

Non-medicated Gels and Creams

While anti-inflammatory gels and creams are very effective, other options containing different ingredients are also good options for relieving muscle pain.

So-called counter-irritants contain ingredients like salicylate that irritate the skin in one place to relieve pain in another place. Some examples include:

Salicylates is a topical analgesic that acts as a counter-irritant. When applied to the skin, it stimulates pain sensors, making them less sensitive to pain signals. The ingredient has a warming effect because it widens blood vessels, stimulating blood flow to the area.

Capsaicin is the active component in chilli peppers that give chillies their hot taste. This compound has robust pain-relieving properties. It reduces pain perception by interfering with the neurotransmitter communicating pain signals.  It causes a hot sensation when applied to the skin, which dissipates over time. 

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic. It stops pain where it is applied. It is the same medicine that doctors use to sew up cuts while the patient is awake.

Menthol is a compound in the oils of several plants, such as peppermint and other mint plants. It acts like a counter-irritant, providing a numbing and cooling sensation.

Important Considerations When Using Topical Muscle Pain Relief Cream and Gel

• If your doctor prescribes the product, follow the instructions. If you are using over-the-counter products, study the directions on the leaflet carefully. 
• Don't apply these products to wounds or damaged or irritated skin.
• With counter-irritants, avoid using heat with the cream or gel. 
• Do not use these products with a tight bandage.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, or wear gloves. 
• While the product is on your hands, avoid touching your face.
• Don't apply the topical product shortly before or after a hot bath or shower, swimming, sunbathing or exercising.
• Topical medications that contain salicylates may cause problems for individuals who are allergic to aspirin or are taking blood thinners. Confirm with your doctor before using these products. 

Pain Relief Patches

In addition to oral and topical solutions for muscle pain relief, pain relief patches are also available. These oversized plasters stick to the skin and slowly release pain-relieving medication or heating or cooling agents. 

Pain relief patches are a good option for individuals who experience digestive or other issues when with oral painkillers. 

Conclusion 

There are several ways through which you can manage muscle pain using natural and non-invasive methods. Apart from supplements and oral pain killers, topical creams and gels offer a simple, convenient, and non-invasive solution for muscle pain relief. Anti-inflammatory gels provide targeted relief and fewer side effects than oral medications.

It is always advisable to consult a qualified doctor before taking any medication or topical cream. If your pain persists or worsens, consult your doctor immediately.