Using herbal remedies, muscle spasms can be treated in a variety of ways. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss muscle spasms, what they are, what causes them and how to treat them as well as a few herbal remedies and what they can do to help a person suffering from muscle spasms.
This article is not intended to diagnose anything but more to inform. For a proper diagnosis and treatment regimen, anyone suffering from potential muscle spasms should see a doctor. There could be an underlying cause that is a warning of something worse.
What are muscle spasms?
Muscle spasms can be described as an involuntary contraction of a muscle that cannot be voluntarily released.
This can affect nearly any muscle in the body and can actually be quite painful at times. Sometimes when this happens in a person’s legs it is known as a Charlie Horse.
These can also be painless. If you have ever had a finger that jumped repeatedly although almost imperceptibly then you have more than likely experienced a minor muscle spasm.
This type of muscle spasms are more frequently known as tics or twitches. In this type, while the muscle voluntarily contracts it also bounces right back…again and again, until it decides that it has had enough.
What causes them?
There are many things that can trigger muscle spasms and they cover a wide spectrum of sources. If a person is suffering from muscle spasms they can be caused by dehydration or anemia.
They can also be caused by atherosclerosis or overuse if the particular muscle is not used to being used like that…think newbie at the gym here.
They can be caused by not being used enough too believe it or not. Those are just a few of the causes for muscles that are not in the smooth muscle family to spasm. There are many more reasons other than what you will find listed right here.
Treatment options
The treatments for muscle spasms differ just as greatly as the causes do. For dehydration related spasms, fluids containing electrolytes are recommended. For an anemic person, iron is recommended.
For proper treatment options, a person really does need to see a professional in order to determine not only the ultimate cause but also to discuss which treatment options are to be advised that will not just treat the spasms but get to the root of the problem and treat the cause of them.
Herbal Remedies – a Definition
To understand herbal remedies a person must first understand herbalism. This is not some mystical healing powers or anything regardless of popular beliefs. This is actually the study of plants.
From that study, a person gains knowledge of the medicinal properties of each plant. Herbal remedies are derived from this knowledge.
While this is not a method that doctors prefer to use, it is gaining in popularity in different areas.
Treatment options for muscle spasms using herbal remedies
Herbal remedies will treat the pain of the muscle spasms but not the cause. They can ease the length of the spasms as well as the severity of them.
There are quite a few recommended treatments if you want to use this method to treat the symptoms. To treat the underlying cause it is recommended that you see a qualified professional.
In discussing herbal remedies, muscle spasms can be treated with something called Boswellia serrate. This is only found in a type of tree that is only found in certain parts of India.
You can find it in the form of a topical cream and sometimes this cream will also have capsaicin in it too. Capsaicin comes from peppers. The capsaicin in the pepper is what makes it hot. For herbal remedies, capsaicin is used for pain relief.
Black Cohosh is also an herbal remedy for muscle spasms. This is a relative of the beautiful flower known as the buttercup. This herb grows rampantly in North America.
When found at the right growing time and treated properly, the root of this herb can have effects on things like muscle spasms as well as pain caused by menstrual cramping.
It also has applications in some forms of joint pain. You can find this remedy in the form of an extract, a tablet or a capsule at many health stores.
Those are just a few of the herbal remedies that are said to have helping effects when dealing with muscle spasms.
Again, these only treat the symptoms and not the ultimate cause which should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
