Pain Therapy and The Treatment for Body Aches and Pains

What is Pain Therapy and How Does It Work?

 

OK so you have taken up some new sport or exercise regime and you are working out regularly but you are now experiencing some bodily aches and pains and you want to prevent the pain from reoccurring, so you can enjoy your new found lifestyle, what can you do to stop all the soreness?

What’s Causing My Sore Muscles?
It’s normal to have sore muscles after you work out, play sports, or even do housework, especially if:

You did something you’re not used to, like running a marathon when you normally jog just a few miles.
You suddenly kicked up your exercise intensity level or increased the length of your workout.
You did unusual exercises that lengthen instead of shorten your muscle, like walking downhill or extending your arm during a bicep curl.

These changes to your exercise routine can lead to tiny injuries in your muscle fibers and connective tissue. About a day later, you’ll start to feel sore.

This is called delayed onset, muscle soreness, it normally peaks within about 48 hours, and then it will gradually dissipate away. The good news is that when you do the same activity again, your muscles will start to get used to it. “You will actually have no soreness or less soreness because now you’ve strengthened the muscle or connective tissue.

What’s Causing My Joint Pain?

When your joints feel sore and achy, that’s usually a sign of osteoarthritis. This inflammatory condition becomes more common as you get older. The cartilage that normally cushions the joints wears away, leaving the joints inflamed and painful.

Joint pain can also be caused by overuse or injury, for example, tennis elbow or a knee injury caused by problem with a ligament or meniscus. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones in your body. A meniscus is a rubbery disc that cushions your knee.

Treating Sore Muscles and Joint Pain

Some physical therapists suggest you ice the sore area right after the activity to cut inflammation. Then use heat later to increase blood flow to the area. Heat also can help relieve joint pain. If the pain persists visit your GP and let him decide whether you should take any medication to relieve the soreness or pain.

Sometimes soothing sore muscles requires more than an ice pack or over-the-counter pain reliever. Muscle pain that comes on quickly and feels intense is a sign that you’ve injured yourself. Call your doctor if your pain is severe or lasts for more than a few days.

How Do I Prevent Sore Muscles and Joint Pain?

Experts used to recommend stretching before a workout to prevent sore muscles. But research shows that stretching ahead of time doesn’t do much to prevent soreness or injury. Most experts believe that it’s better to get in a good warm-up before you exercise. Stretch later, when your muscles are already warm.

A couple of natural substances are touted for preventing sore muscles, including antioxidants like vitamin C. But check with your doctor before taking high doses of any vitamin. Serious exercisers might find relief from post-workout soreness by taking in some protein. A study of marines found that protein supplements helped sore muscles after intense exercise.

Ease Into Exercise and Check With Your Doctor

One of the best ways to prevent sore muscles is by easing your way into your exercise routine. Start off with lighter exercise and gradually build up. If you have a medical condition or you’re unsure about your health, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. He can help you find an exercise routine that’s safe and effective for you.

When you have joint pain, you may be tempted to curl up in bed. One of the best things you can do for your joints, though, is to exercise. Your joints need to move to get nutrition, weight-bearing exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support the joint. Just watch that you don’t exercise to the point of pain.

It also can help to work with a physical therapist, who can show you how to exercise safely and how to keep good posture so that you don’t get injured or worsen joint pain.

More detailed information on Lower Back Pain  – Tennis Elbow – Knee Pain –  Sciatica – Hip Pain – Rotator Cuff Pain