Natural muscle relaxers

 


Natural is definitely the way to go when it comes to relaxing your muscles. Lower-back problems are one of the most common reasons for the use of muscle relaxers. However, most of the time, acute low bback pain is the result of a simple strain and is a self-limiting condition that will resolve itself in four to six weeks, with or without treatment.
I want to help you steer clear of having conventional muscle relaxers become your primary method of pain reduction and relaxation. Natural remedies such as massages, chiropractic adjustments, essential oils and more offer relief without the unwanted side effects. Let’s take a look.
Arnica Oil
Applied to the skin in the form of an oil, cream, ointment, liniment or salve, arnica oil is a potent remedy for various inflammatory and exercise-related injuries. The positive effects of topically applying arnica have proved to be effective in reducing pain, indicators of inflammation and muscle damage. 
The thymol found in arnica has been found to be an effective vasodilator of subcutaneous blood capillaries, which helps facilitate the transport of blood and other fluid accumulations and acts as an anti-inflammatory to aid the normal healing processes. Arnica oil also stimulates the flow of white blood cells, which process congested blood to help disperse trapped fluid from the muscles, joints and bruised tissue.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments are a drug-free and surgery-free path to heal pain naturally. In fact, chiropractic techniques can be even more effective at reducing pain than muscle relaxers, according to research from the College of Chiropractic at Life University in Georgia. Chiropractors focus their attention on the health of your spine being properly aligned and, if there are shifts, helping the spine come back into alignment. When it comes to back and neck pain, chiropractors can alleviate the pain you’ve been experiencing by helping you get back to a proper, pain-free alignment.
Cannabis Oil
Evidence suggests that cannabinoids may prove useful in pain modulation by inhibiting neuronal transmission in pain pathways, making cannabis oil is a smart choice for a natural muscle relaxer. The oil has the ability to relieve chronic pain and inflammation, which is why it’s sometimes used as a natural fibromyalgia treatment. If you use cannabis oil, make sure it’s purchased through a reputable company that sells pure and lab-tested oils.
Essential Oils
Peppermint essential oil is an excellent natural painkiller and muscle relaxant. It’s especially helpful in soothing sore muscles, an aching back and melting away a tension headache.
Studies show that peppermint oil applied topically has pain-relief benefits associated with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome Simply dilute peppermint essential oil in a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut) or an unscented lotion and apply to the area of concern.
Lemongrass essential oil helps to improve blood circulation and can therefore relieve muscle spasms and backaches. Frankincense and cypress essential oils are also awesome at reducing inflammation and improve circulation, which helps reduce pain and spasms
Massage
When your body sends a signal to your brain that something hurts, the pain is the body’s way of telling you to stop using that area of the body so it can begin the healing process. A prescription muscle relaxer disguises the pain and lets you move past the point of the body’s comfort, which can prolong the pain and even cause the pain to spread in the body.
When you get a good massage from a licensed therapist, he or she can work on the area of concern as well as your whole body, loosening tension and relieving pain. If you have chronic muscle spams or pain, it’s ideal to get a massage at least once a month or more. The higher your stress levels, the more likely you are to have muscle tension and pain that requires regular massage.
A 2011 clinical, randomized study involving cancer patients out of Taiwan researched the effects of massage therapy on muscle pain and relaxation. It found that massage therapy definitively improved bone and muscle pain management in these patients, showcasing the muscle-relaxing effects of massage.
Avoid “Pain Foods”
  • Sugar: Sugar is pro-inflammatory and increases pain.
  • Alcohol: This also worsens inflammation.
  • Caffeine: Caffeine is dehydrating and may increase inflammation. Limit yourself to no more than one cup of coffee daily, or cut back completely if you can.
  • Trans fats: These fats increase inflammation and pain.
  • Excess calories: Being overweight exacerbates back pain
Epsom Salt & Magnesium 
Signs of magnesium deficiency: Sugnsinclude muscle pain, fibromyalgia and leg cramps. By soaking your whole body or even just your feet in epsom salt you can increase your internal magnesium levels, which is essential to your muscles working properly and avoiding the need for muscle relaxers.
In general, healthy magnesium levels from Epsom salt use can help overall bodily inflammation since low magnesium has been linked with higher C- reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.
Don’t Rest Too Much
When it comes to muscle spasms, as long as the pain isn’t severe, it’s a good idea to keep moving to keep muscles loose and reduce disease-causing inflammation Go about your normal daily activities at a slower pace if needed.
Definitely avoid any movements that might have started your pain or seem to aggravate it. Taking a little more time to rest and relax isn’t a bad idea, but light activity will actually speed up your recovery time. So resist taking long television breaks on the couch and keep your blood flowing. Of course, disregard this recommendation if your pain is really unbearable or accompanied by other symptoms. In that case, visit your doctor stat.

Muscle Relaxers Background & History

A muscle spasm results from inflammation that occurs when a muscle is overstretched or torn. A muscle strain doesn’t sound like a serious injury, but it can actually cause severe pain for some people, even sending them to the emergency room. Muscle strains or pulled muscles often occur in the lower back.
Muscle relaxers are a group of drugs that reduce tension and spasm in muscles and have an overall sedative effect on the body. Muscle-relaxing drugs are designed to depress the central nervous system.
There are two main types of muscle relaxers: spasmolytics and neuromuscular blockers. Spasmolytics are most commonly used to alleviate pain associated with spasms and a variety of other neurological conditions. Neuromuscular blockers are used in surgical procedures and are often used in emergency situations to cause temporary paralysis. The term “muscle relaxer” or “muscle relaxant” is commonly used to refer to spasmolytics only.
Due to the side effects, an initial assessment is required to evaluate the need for the drug and the length of time for which it is required. Muscle relaxers are typically used to treat acute muscle problems and are generally not prescribed for long-term use. Individuals taking muscle-relaxing drugs should be under the care of a physician.
The earliest known use of muscle-relaxant drugs dates back to the 16th century, when European explorers encountered natives of the Amazon Basin in South America using poison-tipped arrows that produced death by skeletal muscle paralysis. This poison (known today as curare) led to some of the earliest scientific studies in pharmacology. Its active ingredient, tubocurarine, as well as many synthetic derivatives, played a significant role in scientific experiments to determine the function of acetylcholine in neuromuscular transmission.
By 1943, neuromuscular-blocking drugs became established as muscle relaxants in the practice of anesthesia and surgery