Arnica: the natural alternative for treating sore muscles
Posted December 1st, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jenna Sumara
Section: Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab
As runners and athletes’ we all tend to experience pain of some sort and eliminating that pain is often our #1 priority. This is especially true if it prevents you from continuing your regular training program. Traditional pain treatment options like Tylenol and Advil are quite reliable but also can lead to some serious, long-term damage to your liver or stomach. However, there is another lesser known pain relief treatment product called Arnica that is starting to gain momentum among runners for treating muscle soreness.
Arnica (or by its scientific name, Arnica Montana or referred to as leopard’s bane) is a flower generally grown in the western states of the US and originally hails from Central Europe. Discovered by Europeans in the 16th century, Arnica has long been used as a holistic treatment for sore throats, improving blood circulation and reducing fevers. Externally, Arnica has been used as an antiseptic, to eliminate skin conditions (such as acne and rashes) and as a dressing for flesh wounds. In addition, it is known to reduce swelling from bruises, ease pain from sprains and help with the treatment of muscle soreness. With the popularity of other more “mainstream” medications (i.e. - Tylenol, Excedrin, Advil, etc), the use of Arnica has waned over the years.
So what does this all mean for the average runner? Should you turn away from the traditional medications in favor the homeopathic approach? Well, that all depends. For those who have concerns over the effects of prolonged drug use, this is certainly an option worth exploring. It is, of course, advised that you should make decisions such as this under the advisement of a physician or someone who is comfortable with homeopathy and abandoning ibuprofen is not necessarily a good idea, especially if you are injured or have just completed a big race. In addition, there is insufficient information on the long-term effects of Arnica, but any serious consequences have been deemed as very unlikely.
Among the available Arnica products, the ones with the best results have been the topical Arnica creams and gels (Some of which contain some ibuprofen that is used topically; avoiding the damage that ibuprofen digestion can cause to your stomach). Studies have shown topical Arnica (and the topical ibuprofen combination) to have some positive anti-inflammatory effects. This success in treating minor injuries, specifically muscle soreness and fatigue, makes Arnica a very intriguing alternative for runners and other endurance athletes.
Products containing Arnica can be purchased online (from companies like Boiron), at health food / nutrition stores and select pharmacies. A prescription is not required.
Interested in learning more about Arnica and in possibly giving it a try? Then stayed tuned . . . The Final Sprint will feature more about Arnica later this month, including reviews of Boiron’s Arnica Gel and Boiron’s Sportenine Arnica Tablets.
Sources: [Healthy Way Magazine], [Herbmed.org], [NCBI-1], [NCBI-2], [Wikipedia], [Nutritional Herbal Supplements], [Homeopathic], [Running Times], [Boiron], [Botanical], [Health Library]
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: Advil, arnica, boiron, herbal supplements, homeopathic sports medicine, ibuprofen, injury prevention, muscle soreness, pain, treatment, tylenol
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The Final Sprint
Hi. I have recently walked and run with my 2 huskys, about 5 days ago just over 2 miles, i havent walked for as long as this for 18months or thereabouts. I have been waiting since then for my muscles in my legs, ankles hip, and arms to stop hurting me! lol.
December 25th, 2006 at 9:43 amThey are worst when getting up from the sitting possition or out of bed during the night! I feel like an ole lady now, as the pain wont go away! how long should it take for the pain to go away?
so much for me keeping fit ! lol… s
Dear Sandra,
Happy Holidays.
If the pain persists much longer you may want to see a doctor. In the mean time, try self-massage, warm baths, ice compresses (if your joints are swollen) and some anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen.
In the future, make sure that you are properly warming up, cooling down and stretching. In addition, make sure to increase your weekly regimen slowly - only about 10% per week (the infamous 10 percent rule).
You may also want to try glucosamine (they have shell-fish free versions if you are allergic or vegetarian) for joint strength.
If you have more questions, feel free to send me an email directly at adam@thefinalsprint.com
Take care,
Adam Jacobs
December 25th, 2006 at 1:41 pmEditor-in-Chief
TheFinalSprint.com
Certified Personal Trainer
& Sports Nutritionist
good advice
-Ben
December 26th, 2006 at 1:30 amThanks.
Arnica gel is also a fantastic holistic product.
In addition, try “The Stick” to aid with your massage (www.thestick.com) and muscle treatment.
Take care,
December 26th, 2006 at 1:32 amAdam Jacobs
Editor-in-Chief
TheFinalSprint.com
Certified Personal Trainer
& Sports Nutritionist
[…] Sources of research and for more information: [Boiron USA], [The Final Sprint], [Innovative Medicine] […]
January 18th, 2007 at 3:48 pmcajuput and clove oil do wonders for pain relief. beware of things like tigar balm though, it has two poisons in it, camphor and aluminum hydroxide.
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July 14th, 2007 at 3:06 pmArnica based products are good for muscular pain but i would like to stress the fact that the plant itself is highly toxic and can cause death. So use arnica based product which are not toxic but don’t try to make your own product with arnica. It will be too hazardous.
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[1] A recent medical publication says that 80% of us will experience foot or ankle problems at some point in our lifetime, and this handy "reference guide" will help you or someone in your family quickly resolve the problems and stop the pain. As I said before "Seek And Ye Shall Find" is going to have a whole new meaning. You are going to learn " how to diagnose foot and ankle problems" and have several different solutions to cure the problem. You are going to be like a "foot and ankle detective." Using the information contained in "Cure Your Ankle and Feet Problems" you will be able to diagnose the problem quickly, and then take the proper stepsrequired to correct the situation and STOP your PAIN! You just might become the family DOC! You'll shock them with your knowledge, and amaze them with your solutions! 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N0M 2T0 Canada Toll Free Calling: 1-800-667-4277 International Calls: 001-519-236-4250 Fax: 1-519-236-4250 email: support@sorefootcure.com [3] All content on this site is the property of William Lagadyn No part of the content may be reproduced in any form without expressed written approval from the publisher. Copyright (c) 2003 -2007, www.sorefootcure.com Sites you may be interested in Arnica: the natural alternative for treating sore muscles | TheFinalSprint.com | Premier Running Destination for Marathons, Track and Field, Race News, Podcasts, Training Advice and More!Tiff’s Blog » Blog Archive » Setting Foot on Hua Hin SoilChronic Town » Blog Archive » It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s… Super Goose!Diseases information. Disorders. Treatment. » Blog Archive » Hallux valgus Heel Neuroma and treatmentHeal Thyself « My Personal CookbookSole Foot Scrubber - Natural Herbal BeautyDiabetic Foot Care | Symptoms | Tips | Treatment | Home Remedies Tags foot pain pain relief back pain pain in athlete foot This product is also listed in Health & Fitness Alternative New Products Remedies Pingback / Trackback In database since 2007-08-28 and last updated on 2008-08-04 […]
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