Whether you are athletic or not, you regularly suffer from body aches after physical exertion. These aches can be intense and often you do not know how to relieve yourself. They are characterized by muscle stiffness and pain. Most aches are caused by physical exertion. More rarely, body aches are caused by an illness such as the flu or the coronavirus. How to relieve them? Here are some answers.
Body aches are a benign condition and therefore harmless to those affected. They remain very unpleasant because they cause pain and stiffness in the muscles. The discomfort is temporary. Aches occur when the muscle exceeds its limits. When an effort is too intense, the muscle does not resist.
This is what happens inside a muscle when it gets sore:
It should be noted that the more the muscle is altered, the more intense the aches are. Moreover, if the aches are caused by physical activity, the more it is sustained, the more intense the aches will be.
In the vast majority of cases, aches occur when a muscle is contracted while it is stretched. People who have not warmed up before physical exertion, or not warmed up enough, are very likely to have aches. Bad practice can also be involved. This is why it may be essential to train with professionals.
Sport is not the only activity that can cause body aches. Sometimes a sustained effort is involved. In seniors, as in other people, aches can appear after a gardening session, after a first day of hiking or skiing.
Aches can be caused by mechanical factors such as physical activity but also by non-mechanical factors. This is the case when body aches appear due to a pathology. Among them are:
Be aware that body aches can also appear in the event of rheumatism, joint disorders and sometimes cancer.
It may happen that body aches are felt following drug treatment. If so, another treatment will have to be found. Body aches are an undesirable effect. Sometimes they are caused by drug intoxication or intolerance to a drug, a molecule or a component.
A cramp and a body aches are two different manifestations. You must learn to differentiate them to treat them in the best possible way.
The aches appear a few hours after an effort. It is not uncommon for them to be particularly felt upon waking up, the day after exercise. Pain is felt when the body is in motion. The aches can last up to 7 days, when they are intense. The peak of pain occurs 24 to 48 hours after exercise.
If the aches are not related to physical exertion, they are accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat, headache or runny nose.
It is not necessary to consult a doctor for aches unless they are unexplained or too difficult to bear. In addition to prescribing painkillers, the doctor may ask you to do blood tests to determine if the body aches are caused by a pathology that has not yet been diagnosed.
More rarely, body aches can lead to complications. On the other hand, it is necessary to monitor the presence of cramps, elongation or breakdown.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help you overcome the pain. Ask your doctor or pharmacist. Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants. It is also essential to rest your muscles for at least a day. Then, you have to resume an activity little by little!
Taking a hot bath can help. A session in a sauna too! More simply, you can apply a small hot water bottle to the painful area. Attention ! If you have a fever or a heart condition, avoid using heat to relieve your body aches.
It is possible to massage painful muscles with massage oil, including warming oils, and essential oils. Homeopathy is also recommended for its anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties. Arnica is especially recommended!
An anti-inflammatory diet can help relieve body aches. To do this, you have to bet on the right foods, especially those that are rich in magnesium. Among them are:
Poor hydration can increase the risk of suffering from body aches. It is essential to stay hydrated before, during and after physical activity, even if it is low intensity.
