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How to Apply Balm to Cramped Muscles

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Johnny Nelson
 How to Apply Balm to Cramped Muscles

Athletes, building constructors, kids, and many others who engage in vigorous physical activities often suffer from muscle cramps. Muscle cramps are utterly painful and hinder your day-to-day life. They often occur due to microscopic tears in muscle tissues and heal naturally as your body repairs muscle tissues. However, to cope with everyday life, you need to apply for pain relief in the cramped area unless you have an extremely high pain tolerance level. The common choice of muscle pain relief for most sportspersons, laborers, and school children is muscle balm. When applied correctly, muscular balm acts as a quick fix and eases your cramps. In this article, you are going to learn the correct procedure of applying a warming muscle rub to heal a cramped muscle. 


Pick Your Balm

Choosing a balm for a muscle cramp can be a little confusing as the market is filled with numerous muscle rub brands. However, you need to choose the balm that can heal you and bring you comfort. Below are some popular types of muscle balms. 


1. Menthol-Based Balm

Menthol-based balms give your skin a cool sensation while relieving your pain. Some menthol balms include camphor in them to both numb the area and make the area cool. However, if you have any allergies to strong, minty smells, you may go for another type of balm. Out of many brands of menthol-based muscle rubs, Eagle Brand Muscular Balm can be considered a great choice as it contains menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, as well as peppermint oil to ease your muscle pains. 


2. Capsaicin-Based Balm

Capsaicin is the active chemical in hot peppers. Capsaicin-based balms apply heat to the affected area in relieving soreness. However, if your body refuses this heating muscular balm, you can choose one with methyl salicylate which gives almost the same effect in a slightly milder way. 


3. Arnica-Based Balm

 Arnica is a European herb that can increase blood flow. It does not create any uncomfortable burning sensation on the affected area like capsaicin and is often applied to sprains and strains. It also can heal bruises, however, can be poisonous if ingested by mistake. 


Apply the Muscular Balm

 Once you have chosen your balm, you need to apply it to the cramped, strained, or sprained area with care. Here are some important facts to keep in mind when you apply a balm to relieve muscle cramps. 


1. Do not apply muscle balm before working out.

Working out increases your blood circulation. If you keep your body active after applying any kind of muscle balm, it might get over-absorbed into your body, causing toxicities. 


2. Do a patch test before trying a new balm.

If you ever happen to apply a muscle rub that you have never used before, it is best to do a patch test on the inside of your wrist to check for allergies before applying it to the cramped area. 


3. Apply a small amount of balm to the affected area and gently massage.

When applying the muscular balm, make sure not to apply more than a pea-sized amount. Start from the middle of the cramp and spread the balm evenly over the entire area into a thin layer. After applying the balm, gently massage the area with your fingertips to relax the muscle. The most important point to remember is not applying balm directly on irritated, wounded skin as its active ingredients can worsen the skin irritation. 


Alternative Methods of Pain Relief for Those Who Are Allergic to Balm

Even though top-notch muscular balms like Eagle Brand Muscular Balm bring quick and assured relief to muscle cramps, joint pains, strains, and sprains, those who have skin allergies or other related issues can try alternative methods of pain relief when a muscle cramp occurs. Here are some tips:


1- Drink sufficient water and stay hydrated.

2- Have enough rest. It is best to sleep for 7-9 hours for the torn muscles to repair themselves. 

3- Do hot compression, cold compression, or have a warm bath if the cramp is mild. 

4- Take your preferred oral painkiller. 

5- See a doctor if the pain is severe.


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