Muscle pain medications: ranging from prescription drugs to herbs

Muscle pain or myalgia can be caused by injury to the muscles, excessive and repetitive extreme movements, or diseases related to musculoskeletal disorders. In order not to drag on until it interferes with daily life, it never hurts to try taking muscle pain relievers. What are the options?

Choice of drugs to relieve muscle pain

Muscle pain usually affects only a limited area of ​​the body. The pain that you feel starts when you feel light and is only felt after doing certain activities.

However, when the pain becomes unbearable, there are several muscle pain reliever options that you need to know and can use, such as the following:

1. Paracetamol

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a pain reliever and fever reducing drug that can be used to relieve muscle pain.

Even so, if you want to use pain relievers to treat muscle aches and pains, pay attention to the dosage you should take. Usually, this drug is taken for a maximum of 4000 milligrams (mg) by adults, and should not be taken more than 1000 mg in a 4 hour period.

2. Ibuprofen

Basically, ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug, but it can also be used to relieve fever and aches or pains, such as sore muscles. One of the causes of muscle pain is injury, and ibuprofen is commonly used as a pain reliever medication that occurs as a result of this condition.

Even so, this drug should be used with caution and is not recommended for long-term consumption. In addition, the use of this drug must first be consulted with a doctor. This is because not everyone can take drugs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen.

3. COX-2 inhibitors

COX-2 inhibitors are a type of NSAID drug that can help relieve pain and inflammation by inhibiting an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine in Science & Sport states that this drug can reduce pain in muscles.

Even so, this muscle pain reliever drug is said to only relieve pain without affecting muscle function that is weakened due to strenuous exercise activities.

4. Corticosteroids

You may be able to use corticosteroids as painkillers for muscle pain. However, corticosteroids should be consumed for a short time, and of course only on doctor's prescription.

This drug requires strict rules of use and is supervised by a doctor because the risk of side effects can include weight gain, stomach pain, headaches, changes. mood , and trouble sleeping.

Indiscriminate use of corticosteroids can also weaken your immune system and thin your bones. That is why corticosteroids should not be used as long-term muscle pain relievers.

5. Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants are usually used in combination with other drugs as a reliever for muscle pain associated with tense muscles, stiff muscles, to muscle spasms. This muscle relaxant drug works by ordering the brain to relax the problematic muscles, especially in the back of the body such as the back.

This type of drug that can be used as a muscle relaxant is usually given to treat pain or muscle pain that is acute, not chronic. This medicine can also be your choice if the pain you feel makes it difficult to sleep.

6. Opioids

Opioids are usually used to relieve muscle pain at a sufficiently severe level. This drug is used when the muscle pain you feel cannot be treated with other drugs.

However, considering that this drug is a narcotic drug, its use requires a prescription from a doctor and periodic close monitoring. Some examples of opioid drugs include:

• Morphine
• Fentanyl
• Oxycodone
• Codeine

7. Antidepressants

Antidepressants are commonly used to treat depression or other psychiatric disorders. However, this drug can also be used as a muscle pain reliever.

Please note, antidepressants work by changing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain to relieve pain and create a feeling of calm.

People with chronic pain conditions who don't respond to other treatments can use these muscle pain relievers to control pain. Tricyclic antidepressants, for example, are sometimes prescribed to treat muscle pain due to myofacial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome (chronic fatigue syndrome).

Natural ingredients as an alternative to muscle pain relievers

In addition to chemical drugs prescribed by doctors, you can also use natural ingredients as drugs that can help relieve pain. Some of them are:

1. Chamomile

This natural ingredient can also be used as a traditional medicine for muscle pain relief. This is because chamomile contains flavonoids that are anti-inflammatory, so it can heal inflammation which can also be the cause of muscle pain.

You can use it by brewing dry Chamomile flowers and making it a tea-like drink. However, you can also apply essential oil from Chamomile flowers directly to the area of ​​the muscle that feels stiff to relax more quickly.

2. Peppermint

Similar to Chamomile, Peppermint leaves can also be used as a natural muscle pain reliever. This oil can help relax stiff muscles. Therefore, you can use it by applying essential oil from Peppermint to the area of ​​the cramped, tense, or tight muscle.

Using Peppermint oil can have a cool effect because of the menthol content in it. In addition, this oil will also relieve pain and relax muscles.

3. Foods rich in vitamin D

In addition to using essential oils as natural muscle pain relievers, you can also increase your intake of vitamin D to relieve muscle pain. You can get vitamin D intake from sunlight in the morning and also from certain foods.

Vitamin D can be found in the following types of foods:

• Egg.
• Fish.
• Fortified milk.

4. Curcumin

Curcumin is one of the active compounds found in turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. This compound has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can reduce signs of inflammation in muscles after strenuous exercise.

In addition, natural ingredients that are called muscle pain relievers are also able to relax tight muscles and return them to their original condition.

Other options for dealing with muscle pain

Apart from maintaining healthy muscles and taking pain relievers either natural or prescribed by a doctor, there are several ways you can treat pain. Anything, huh?

1. Cold or warm compress

If you don't want to take muscle pain relievers, you can apply cold compresses to treat sore muscles due to injury. This method can reduce swelling and reduce pain and inflammation that occurs in your injured or injured muscle.

However, do not immediately apply ice to the injured muscle. Better, wrap the ice cubes in a towel so that the skin doesn't get irritated. Enough to apply for 15-20 minutes on a painful area of ​​the body. If you want to repeat it, give it a break before doing the compress again.

If the muscle pain you feel has occurred in the long term, you can use a warm compress to relax tense muscles.

2. Exercise regularly

You may think that when you are experiencing muscle pain, physical activity such as exercise should be stopped first. However, it is not the right way to deal with muscle pain.

In addition to using muscle pain relievers, you should keep exercising regularly to reduce pain. This is because exercise requires all parts of the body to move, which in turn can help maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility.

With strong muscles and flexible joints, it will certainly make it easier for you to carry out various activities, and reduce the risk of injury which causes pain in the muscles.

3. Find a comfortable position

A comfortable position is also one way that can help you to reduce pain in the muscles. Avoid standing, sitting, or lying down positions that make muscle aches worse. Don't push yourself if a certain position feels uncomfortable in the sore muscles.

In addition, always practice good posture at all times to maintain muscle health and avoid pain and other muscle problems. The reason is, the habit of practicing bad posture triggers muscle pain.

4. Stretch

In addition to taking both herbal and chemical muscle pain relievers, you can also stretch to reduce pain in the muscles. One of the stretching activities that can be done is yoga.

This exercise can help you stretch and strengthen your muscles. In fact, if done properly, this sport can also help prevent injury.

However, make sure you don't overdo it, as this can exacerbate muscle aches and pains. Try to do this exercise regularly at least once a week so that the muscles continue to be trained.

Keeping the body moving will also allow the skeletal muscles to circulate, which helps with muscle breakdown. If this method can not deal with pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.

5. Get enough rest

Even though it is recommended to stay active, it does not mean you have to overexert yourself. Adequate rest is still important to help you recover from sore muscles. Whether you have or haven't taken muscle pain relievers, you should get adequate rest.

Also avoid physical activity or excessive sports. Make sure that the physical activity you are doing is within reasonable limits and does not exacerbate any aches or pains in the muscles. The reason is, exercise that is too strenuous may make muscles weak or various other muscle problems.

6. Massage

If you like massages, this may be the right choice to help with sore muscles. However, it is more effective if you get a massage by a therapist who is experienced in dealing with muscle pain.

With the right massage, muscles that were once tense will relax, so that aches and pains in the muscles will subside. Massage is also thought to be able to help with bone pain. After a massage, you will usually feel more relaxed muscles, especially after getting regular massages.

After a massage, it is better if you rest first until your body is refreshed and taut muscles no longer bother you. That way, you will move faster as usual without aches and pains in the muscles.