In one of her blog posts, Suzy Cohen RPh, discusses her experience with a massage session gone wrong. What should have been a 10 minute break, turned into a torturous experience for Cohen, leaving her feeling more stressed and in pain than before. She recommends 12 tips that can help people who struggle with back and muscle pain find relief.

Several of her suggestions are medicinal, like over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Advil and Aleve respectively). Interestingly, she says taking these drugs with a caffeinated beverage such as coffee, as caffeine in itself is a pain reliever, and combining it with an NSAID can be more effective.

Cohen also suggests taking a magnesium supplement, but warns that you should use a magnesium supplement meant to pass through your system and into your muscles. She offers her own brand of magnesium that comes in both capsule and powder forms. Other options include California Poppy liquid extract, which can be taken as a natural pain reliever. Frankincense (Boswellia) is an herb that has anti-inflammatory properties.

Besides taking medication or supplements, there are several things that you can do for pain relief.  Things you can do include:

  • Baths with magnesium salt mixed into the water.
  • Applying an ice pack to the affected area.
  • Rubbing cream on the affected area.  This can either be a warming cream like capsaicin or a cooling cream with menthol.  
  • Warm showers mid-day.
  • Simple yoga poses (nothing complicated).

Perhaps the advice that Cohen emphasizes the most is finding a massage specialist and a chiropractor that you trust. In her story, Cohen went to her typical masseuse at a local mall, but the two people she normally used weren’t there. Their substitutes didn’t help at all. If you are in a session and it feels like you aren’t getting the best service, or are experiencing unnecessary pain, get up and end the session.

Do you want to learn more about these back and muscle pain tips? Read Suzy Cohen’s full post.

Read the full article here:  12 Surefire Ways to Relieve Back Pain, Muscle Spasms, and Karate Chops.