The different remedies for aching muscles may vary according to the specific cause of the pain. Minor muscle aches caused from overuse or improper use may be treated quickly and easily simply by resting, or in more severe cases, by using the RICE treatment. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Other conditions that may cause muscle aches include muscle strains or tears, injuries that result from trauma, or a lack of conditioning that can lead to tight muscles. Remedies for aching muscles may vary from simple rest for minor problems to surgery for more severe issues.
A muscle strain occurs when the tiny fibers that make up the muscle begin to tear due to excess load being placed on them or by over-stretching. These small tears may lead to pain or aches, and remedies for aching muscles due to muscle strains are treated with the RICE treatment. Rest allows the muscle fibers to heal on their own; icing keeps swelling to a minimum, which can reduce pain and promote healing; compression and elevation stimulate blood flow, which in turn promotes faster healing to the injury. Compression can also provide extra support to the weakened muscle during light use. If the muscle tears completely from itself or the tendons securing it to bone, a muscle rupture has occurred. This condition may require surgery to fix. This is a painful condition that goes well beyond simple muscle aches.
Tired muscles tend to tighten up, so poorly conditioned or weak muscles are more likely to tighten and therefore far more likely to ache. Remedies for aching muscles in this case include regular exercise and stretching to strengthen the muscles to prevent them from tiring quickly and causing pain. Stretching alone can help loosen muscles and prevent them from aching, but this stretching should be combined with regular exercise for best results. Stretching is only a temporary solution, whereas a regular exercise routine ensures the muscles stay conditioned and therefore limber.
Some people who work out regularly still get muscle aches, which may be due to poor form when exercising. If a muscle is moving in such a way that excess strain is being placed upon it, the muscle may begin to ache. Remedies for aching muscles resulting from poor form all focus on changing that poor form to prevent pain in the future. A professional trainer may be able to help correct the poor form.