5 Ways to Ease Muscle Cramps and Joint Pain
Naturopath Cassie from Elevate Vitality shares her tips for speedy muscle recovery. If you’re prone to cramps, DOMS, muscle or joint pain, this is a must read!
1. Sip on nettle leaf tea
This wonderful tea helps to aid in the removal of uric acid build-up from the joints, making it very useful for relieving any kind of arthritic and achy joint pain. It’s also very high in nutrients such as vitamins C, K, iron, magnesium and calcium. I call it the multimineral king of teas. It tastes very similar to green tea, but a little sweeter! Drink 2-3 cups a day to get the benefits.
2. Drink coconut water
Muscle cramping is often caused by an imbalance in the body’s levels of electrolytes – namely, the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium. As you’ve probably heard, coconut water is incredibly hydrating and full of these wonderful electrolyte minerals. Enjoy a drinking coconut after you exercise (or even the morning after a little too much vino!) and you will instantly feel the benefits of improved hydration, and no muscle cramps!
3. Eat lots of ginger!
Ginger is a beautiful warming and de-stressing herb with powerful anti-inflammatory action. It improves circulation, eases aching muscles, and is wonderful for cold arthritic pain, as well as menstrual pain. Grate it into your nettle tea (delish!), throw a chunk into a mug with some hot water and lemon, use it in your cooking (it’s great in stir fries), or try it with baked or poached fruit. You can also take ginger as a herbal extract; liquid form is fast acting and well-absorbed.
4. Have an Epsom salt bath
Probably one of my favourite ways to relax, slipping into a steaming tub of what is basically magnesium is one of the best ways to ease a sore and aching body as well as relieve stress, anxiety and insomnia. Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is well absorbed through our skin – our largest organ. This is another way to ensure proper electrolyte balance in your body after a hard workout, as well as give yourself an excuse to just bliss out. Aim for around 3-4 baths per week, preferably right before sleep (so you can just collapse - relaxed beyond belief - into your bed straight afterwards). Use about a handful of Epsom salts and stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes! Easy peasy.
5. Cook with Turmeric
Few people realise the amazing medicinal values of turmeric. Not only can it lower blood cholesterol levels, aid in preventing cancer and help treat liver and chest conditions, but it is wonderful in easing arthritic or painful swellings and reducing muscular inflammation. Turmeric tea may also give relief to asthma sufferers. To make the tea, add 1 tsp of organic turmeric powder to 1 cup of boiling water, stir and drink. Take 1 cup for ten days, then give it a break for two to four days and repeat.