Many of us experience muscle aches and pains from time to time, but it can be difficult to know how to deal with it, especially if what you’ve tried isn’t working.
Whether you're dealing with muscle stiffness after a workout or discomfort from a long day on your feet, knowing how to manage these aches can help you get back to doing the things you love.
We’ve found three solutions that can help ease your aches and pains.
Solution one: Applying heat or cold to the affected area
You can treat various pains by applying heat or ice to the affected area, but the tricky part is knowing when to use which one.
Using heat when you have sore muscles can provide much-needed relief, as heat increases blood flow to the area. Heat is also helpful for reducing the stiffness in your joints caused by osteoarthritis or arthritis 1.
If you’re still experiencing any pain or discomfort after a week, or the pain has increased in a few days, you should book an appointment to see your doctor.
Ice (or cold therapy) is perfect for sprains, injuries, inflammation, and swelling. Cold therapy reduces blood flow to a particular area and can relieve pain by temporarily reducing the nerve activity in the area of injury 1.
If cold therapy hasn’t helped an injury or swelling within 48 hours, you should see your doctor.
Solution two: Pain medicine
Did you work out too hard or get a headache after a long day of meetings?
Pain medicine, like paracetamol, can be an effective option for short-term pain relief 2.
Panadol Rapid caplets provide pain relief and are gentle on the stomach. They can also provide fast relief from the pain and discomfort associated with headaches, backaches, muscular aches and more.
However, you should ask your doctor before using Panadol if you have liver or kidney problems or if you are taking warfarin (which is a medicine that is used to thin your blood).
You should stop and see your healthcare professional immediately if you have an allergic skin reaction, shortness or breath or wheezing after you’ve taken Panadol.
Solution three: Physical therapy
Sometimes, the last option is to visit your local physiotherapist for solutions to help with your pain.
This can involve a combination of hands-on techniques with your physiotherapist, exercise suggestions for your specific pain area, and even applying hot or cold therapy, depending on the type of pain.
While going through pain can be, well, painful, you’re not alone. There are plenty of solutions to help ease your pain, and if you’re not sure what will work for you, head to your local Blooms The Chemist and speak to the team.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. For the temporary relief of pain and fever. Incorrect use could be harmful. Consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with Panadol. You can find more of their products here.
References
1Healthline, Treating pain with heat and cold , accessed 23 October 2024
2Better Health Victoria, Pain and pain management – adults , accessed 23 October 2024