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Sore Muscle Relief Remedies

by Sandra Ramani

After a hard workout, a walk in the woods, a day on the slopes, reach for natural sore muscle relief.

Whether you’re a road warrior or desk jockey, chances are you’ve experienced muscle pain—chronic, acute or just plain annoying. Luckily, there are at-home treatments and natural products that can help. “It is important to first consult a qualified practitioner who can find the root cause of your pain and give you home care tips,” says James Mutkin, an acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner at ESPA Life at the Corinthia London Hotel. Following  self-care recommendations can “result in quicker resolution of muscle aches and pain, and shorten the need for professional treatments—saving time and money.”

Here are a few of our favorite muscle-melting products:

Ateevia Botanica PRIME This botanical-based anti-inflammatory cream has proved effective in treating muscle and joint pain caused by everything from carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis to sport strain. Key ingredients include borage, calendula and ginger extracts. $24.99; ateeviabotanica.com

H. Gillerman Organics Muscle Remedy Herbal expert Hope Gillerman uses active, USDA-certified organic ingredients to create her effective roll-on essential oil remedies. The aromatic Muscle Remedy contains birch to relieve pain, basil to soothe the lower back, vetiver to stimulate circulation, and litsea cubeba to reduce inflammation, in a base of organic olive oil. Great for sprains, muscle spasms and post-workout soreness. $48; hgillermanorganics.com

Boiron Arnicare Boiron’s Arnicare line is based on Arnica Montana—mountain daisy—which helps relieve stiffness and reduce swelling and bruising; use at the first sign of symptoms for best results. $5.99-$9.99; boironusa.com

Elemis Musclease Active Body Oil Potent herbs like maritime pine, sea buckthorn, sea fennel and rosemary—along with skin-nourishing algae—help ease muscle spasms and soothe sore joints. Pair with the Instant Refreshing Gel ($52), rich in arnica, camphor, menthol and birch, to create a revitalizing treatment for tired legs or aching shoulders. $60; timetospa.com

Easy At-Home Tips

Mutkin’s additional tips for at-home muscle relief include:

Self-massage Make use of tools like foam rollers to help relieve back and leg tension, and everyday items like tennis balls (or even dog toy balls) to stimulate the acupressure points in the neck and feet

Targeted stretching Once you have identified the root of your pain, find stretches that isolate those muscles, along with whole body and meridian stretches for overall increased flexibility and relaxation

Smart nutrition Seek out foods and supplements that help reduce inflammation, like those high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids

Heat Apply warm, smooth Basalt stones to loosen tight knots before applying topical remedies

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