Soothe your Sore Muscles

The arrival of Spring weather often accompanies the arrival of Spring muscle aches and pains. The longer, warmer days may inspire you to commit to some overdue housecleaning, or to start working on your flower and vegetable gardens. Or maybe the looming promise of the swimsuit season has you considering a commitment to a new workout regimen.

Have you ever wondered, if it feels so good to accomplish more physical work, why do your muscles feel so bad?

Doctors and common sense will tell you that doing too much too fast is the most common cause of simple muscle aches and pains.

After not using your muscles for months or years, suddenly forcing them into high gear may well inspire rebellion from tiny tears that develop within the muscle tissues. Even if you consider yourself to be a fairly fit person, doing those once-a-year chores may strain muscles you don't typically use in your workout routine.

What's the fastest way to bounce back from minor muscle strains?

Take it easy for a day or two. While the tough-guy in you may tell you to get back out there and work off the pain, that's not the best way. According to top orthopedic surgeons, the first step to healing those painful micro tears in your muscles is to give them a 24-hour break.

Grab some ice. Icing an injury will reduce swelling and soreness. The common routine is to ice an injury for about 20 minutes each hour.

Use natural treatments. While over-the-counter medications for common aches and pains carry a myriad of side effects, natural treatments are a safe and effective alternative to getting back on your feet quickly.

Get back out there! Don't let minor muscle aches slow you down. Once the recommended 24-hour rest period has ended, get back to work! Building your endurance through daily use will keep muscles strong and healthy and will decrease the chances of you having the same aches and pains the next time you spend a couple of hours weeding the flowerbed or taking a hike.