Relieve muscle tension: Which home remedies help?

Muscle tension is extremely unpleasant and can develop into chronic pain if left untreated. But instead of fighting them with painkillers, home remedies are recommended. Which home remedies help with muscle pain and tension? This article provides a helpful overview.

What actually is muscle tension?

Most people are familiar with it: muscle tension. But why does muscle tension occur in the first place and what processes in the body are behind it?

Muscle tension is when muscles are tense for longer than necessary. Muscle tension is necessary to perform muscular tasks. This includes standing, walking, gripping or even sitting upright. Muscles are also necessary for all organs in the body to function as they should.

Muscles are tense when in action. This causes them to shorten. Once the respective task has been completed, the muscles relax again. This is the normal way muscles work.

However, if the muscles do not relax again after being tensed, they can become permanently shortened and acute muscle tension develops. This is accompanied by the following symptoms :

• Increased sensitivity to pain

• Muscle hardening

• Circulatory disorders

• Restriction of stability and flexibility

In fact, it is possible for muscle tension to simply go away. When do tensions resolve themselves?In fact, they go away on their own within a few days . However, you should keep a close eye on them. If muscle tension is not treated and does not go away on its own, it can even lead to chronic pain.

In some cases, it is also advisable to see a doctor. This is the case when symptoms are particularly severe. Sometimes neck tension even radiates into the arms, making them feel furry. In this case, it is always advisable to consult a doctor. However, mild to normal muscle tension can often be relieved with simple home remedies.

How can you relieve muscle tension?

Appropriate medication is available to relieve muscle tension. As these are usually painkillers, they do not address the cause. They are therefore not suitable for long-term treatment.

Some experts use measures to relieve muscle tension with homeopathy and natural remedies. There are also home remedies that can prove helpful. Nevertheless, if the tension has been presented to a doctor who advises taking medication, this advice should be followed.

Minerals

Minerals are a home remedy that can help to relieve muscle tension. It is not uncommon for muscle tension to be the result of an inadequate supply of minerals. However, everyone has different requirements for these nutrients. Sometimes this is not covered by the diet.

In this case, dietary supplements can be a suitable solution. Care should be taken to ensure that they are of high quality, of natural origin and can be easily absorbed by the body. Keyword: bioavailability. Products from Kingnature fulfil all these criteria. If you want to take dietary supplements to help relieve muscle tension, you should only take them as a supplement and not as a substitute for a balanced diet.

But which minerals can relieve muscle tension? First and foremost is magnesium. However, potassium, calcium and sodium are also necessary for healthy muscle function.

Heat

One household remedy that can relieve the symptoms of muscle tension particularly quickly is heat. A warm bath is particularly suitable for relieving muscle tension in the back . This can also be enhanced with antispasmodic agents. There are special relaxation baths that can be used.

Heat has the function of promoting blood circulation. This gently relieves tense areas. As an alternative to a warm bath, heat plasters, cherry stone or spelt cushions are also suitable.

Heat treatment can be applied for several hours. You should just check regularly that the temperature is still correct. Heat pads can also simply be worn over clothing and do not have to be placed directly on the skin, as the heat can also act on the muscles in this way.

Stretching exercises

Many muscle tensions can also be relieved more easily with stretching exercises. They are an effective home remedy, as you can specifically work on the affected parts of the body. Many yoga exercises prove to be useful. However, alternating between a round back and a backbend in a four-footed position is also considered effective for a tense back.

Stretching exercises should be performed at least twice a day for five minutes. It is best to establish a certain routine . This not only relieves existing muscle tension, but also prevents it in a targeted manner.

Exercise

In addition to stretching exercises, exercise in general can also have a positive effect on muscle tension. If you don’t move enough, you risk chronic muscle tension or stiff muscles. It is not enough to exercise every day. It is better to integrate some exercise into your daily routine every hour.

Experts recommend the 40-15-5 rule:

• 40 minutes of dynamic sitting

• 15 minutes of standing work

• 5 minutes of active movement

Massage

Massage is also a popular home remedy that can be used to relieve muscle tension. Various techniques are used:

• Kneading massage

• Pressure massage

• Gripping massage

• Tapping massage

Trigger point massage is particularly effective for severe tension. This involves applying targeted pressure to the painful, tense areas. The effect can also be achieved with a fascia roller .

Antispasmodic creams

A massage can be perfectly combined with pain-relieving and antispasmodic creams. Active ingredients such as menthol, eucalyptus, camphor, rosemary and arnica are considered to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation due to the essential oils they contain. Creams with these ingredients are therefore popular household remedies to relieve muscle tension.

To relieve tension in this way, you should apply cream to the affected area about once or twice a day. It is advisable to wear gloves when doing this. Otherwise, ointment residue may remain under the fingernails. This can easily get into the nose and eyes, where it can cause irritation.

Teas against muscle tension

Another home remedy that helps to relieve muscle tension is tea. In fact, some teas are said to have a tension-relieving effect. Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic herbs such as camomile can be used against tense muscles.

Turmeric and ginger are also suitable teas to help with muscle tension. These are said to be able to favour the relaxation of tense muscles.

Another medicinal plant that is said to relieve muscle tension is devil’s claw. It is considered to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant properties. It is therefore often used to treat joint pain. However, people who are taking blood-thinning medication should not take devil’s claw tea.

Conclusion

Muscle stiffness can also be relieved with a range of home remedies. Many of the measures are also preventative, so they can prevent muscle tension from developing in the first place. Nevertheless, the following applies: if the symptoms are particularly severe and the tension persists for a long time, a doctor should be consulted.