Chronic muscle pain is often linked to underlying conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, low back (Sciatica) and myofascial pain syndrome. The pain that comes with these types of conditions is related to damaged nerve vessels and muscle damage. Or injuries which cause localize damage to the vertebral discs in the spine or injuries that affect the muscle sheath and surrounding tissues.
Another major cause of muscle pain is injury. Injuries can fall into many categories. First off, you’ll notice redness or swelling in a centralized location. Painful injuries don’t always result in chronic conditions. If pain remains in the muscle after the healing process, then additional medical treatment may be required.
Chronic pain can have a determined cause or it can be unexplained. Unexplained pain could be caused by stress related injuries to the soft tissues. Whenever pain is labeled as “chronic” this means that it occurs routinely and is either debilitating, mildly debilitating or is extreme in nature. Chronic therefore refers to painful discomfort, any type of aching, throbbing, stabbing or shooting pain deep in the muscle tissue.
These days, there is a growing trend of examining how we can treat all forms of pain in the muscles and the body with a natural or nature related cures. Food and food extracts; specifically extracts from fruits and vegetables have produced promising results.“Nutraceutical” foods are now being developed into powerful pain relieving extracts.
Nutraceutical foods and other non-standard treatment options have a broader scope, which also takes into account non-traditional routes such as aromatherapy, and Ayurveda, acupuncture, and yoga. In some cases, alternative treatments are used along with Western Medicine. And not just as a natural approach; but because they often help to alleviate the underlying symptoms.
Below are some treatment options for pain that is chronic in nature.
Western Medicine
Treatment options with a traditional approach means going to a medical practitioner for a diagnosis, a walking aid, and if necessary, a prescription pain medication. The medication route depends on the underlying cause/causes. For example, most diabetics complain of chronic pain and weakness in their muscles. Doctors most often choose a non-narcotic course of treatment and they will instead prescribe medication they see more fit with the issue at hand.
1. Under the header of Western Medicine, it is safe to include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are available “over the counter.” Medications in this class may be used along with any standard course of treatment. Over the counter NSAIDs include common brand name and generic forms of acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen.
Consult your physician for the most up to date treatment options.
Aromatherapy
The best type of aromatherapy for chronic pain of the muscles and in the body in general is the topical application of certain classes of essential oils. In this case, the ones referred to here are categorized as “advanced pain management” and these include basil and peppermint oil, as well as wintergreen and clove. If the muscle discomfort includes joint and bone pain, helichrysum oil offers anti-inflammatory benefits and it helps with the regeneration of damaged nerves.
Aromatherapy in the last few years has expanded to the oral route. By mouth, certain plant essences and essential oils offer immediate relief from chronic pain. Because they bypass the digestive system and enter directly into the bloodstream, upon sublingual ingestion.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda isn’t strictly confined to those of Persian heritage. For chronic pain it considers the rudimentary cause of all body injuries is related to multi-layer directives of areas of subconscious suppression. Or simply put, the cause is either what a person eats, drinks and how much they exercise and the type of exercise they engage in regularly. Muscle stiffness and chronic pain is tagged and aligned based on the severity in three basic categories: Kapha, Pitta or Vata. The categories are determined by symptoms such as throbbing pain, swelling, and severe discomfort.
This approach involves using a combination of massage and relaxation techniques, very specific yoga poses and the elimination of certain foods from the diet to get rid of the buildup of toxins within the system. Ayurveda also uses aromatherapy and herbs to alleviate chronic pain, which is thought to be caused by inflammation, stress and tension. The most common purpose for Ayurveda is the elimination of the underlying cause of the chronic discomfort by addressing any areas of stagnation, congestion and inflammation, as they affect the ability of muscles to function correctly.
Chinese Medicine
As another alternative approach to relieving chronic pain, Chinese Medicine offers several herbal and plant based medications. One of the most powerful painkillers in this category is “Corydalis yanhusuo.” It can relieve extreme chronic pain in the muscles and is often used by Chinese practitioners as a replacement for opioids. Because unlike opioids, there is no known risk for addiction.
We hope you enjoyed this article, and again, prior to choosing a treatment option, please consult your local Michigan physician.