Muscle pain is a common complaint. It doesn’t just affect those who workout regularly, but can be experienced by anyone at any time. The pain can be caused by overuse, minor injuries, stress and tension. Whatever the reason behind your muscle pain, knowing how to treat it and what to do to minimise further discomfort can help you to deal with it. When searching online for treatments, you will probably come across muscle pain relief gel. There are many different products available and unless you have been prescribed something by a healthcare professional, you are probably wondering where to start.  

Below are three elements that you might want to look out for when choosing a muscle relief gel to ease your aches and pains. 

1.Doesn’t contain any nasties 

Hidden ingredients are something that consumers often overlook in their quest to find a solution, particularly when trying to solve pain. It is these hidden nasties, however, that may have a negative effect on your skin or overall health, so it’s important to know what’s inside the products you are choosing. When it comes to muscle relief gel, start with the natural products as these will contain plant based ingredients that are proven in nature to provide relief. 

Natural ingredients may include rosemary, which offers anti-inflammatory properties and improves circulation, menthol which delivers an instant cooling feel to the affected area and helps to desensitise nerves or hemp seed oil, which reduces inflammation and pain. 

In addition to looking for active natural ingredients, it is also a good idea to ensure that the pain relief gel you choose doesn’t have artificial colours. Making a topical gel look an appealing colour won’t do anything to help ease your pain, so why choose something that contains artificial ingredients? It is better to opt for naturally coloured, dermatologically approved products as these are unlikely to cause you any skin irritation. 

2.Doesn’t dry out your skin 

It is important to remember that when applying any kind of topical pain relief, your skin is going to be subjected to the ingredients. Though the gel or cream may penetrate the skin to provide relief to the affected muscles or joints, it will be the skin that provides the testing ground. For this reason, it’s sensible to choose a muscle pain relief gel that won’t dry out your skin. Look for moisturising ingredients such as cocos nucifera oil, helianthus annuus seed oil, camphor and butyrospermum parkii butter.  

If you choose a gel that can be applied several times a day you are going to want it to leave your skin feeling soft and supple, otherwise it might exacerbate your muscle aches. So, look out for products that specifically state they are moisturising, conditioning and easily absorbed. 

3.Can be used when you need it, where you need it 

Some muscle relief gels and creams can only be applied once or twice a day, depending on the active ingredients used. If you are looking for something that can be used when and where you need it, you may be best to choose a natural product. Look for a gel that can be used before and after exercise, when you get up or before you go to bed as these are likely to be the times when muscle pain is at its worst. 

Top tips to help ease muscle pain 

If you are experiencing muscle pain, it might not be caused by an injury. It is also common to experience muscle aches and pains if you are not getting the right nutrients or are dehydrated. Overdoing it at the gym or in an exercise class can also contribute to muscle pain, as can not getting enough good quality sleep. In addition to applying a topical muscle relief gel, you might also get some relief from your symptoms by resting the affected area, elevating it and applying an ice pack as well as practising some gentle stretching and taking over the counter painkillers.  It is also important to warm up properly before and after exercise and to not sit for extended periods. 

Aching muscles might be common, but they can cause discomfort and stop you from doing what you want. Knowing what to look for in a muscle pain relief gel and following a few home remedies should soon start to make things easier, though if they don’t, it might be a good time to seek medical advice. More tips on easing muscle and joint pain can be found on the 5kind website where you can also browse a range of natural muscle relief gel products.