Effective Natural Remedies for Muscle Health and Recovery

This post is a few years old but I was in a yoga class where the instructor had us in a deep cow type stretch. She pushed 'gently' downward on my back and there it went. Could hardly walk or sit, lower back muscles cinching. At time it felt like my legs were giving out and had to borrow a friend's cane for support. Found a wonderful chiropractor who didn't perform the usual manipulations but gentle stretches, drop table and the activator. In 2 treatments, I'm 95% better. It took 3 days to get on his schedule but in the meantime I applied DMSO (2/3 DMSO:1/3 distilled water) and it was a lifesaver. Since, it's also helped in our household with a tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, arthritic knee.

I would think a chiropractor would help. Here is an exercise that is simple, gentle and helps me with all sorts of back/muscle pains. Especially the muscle tension I get at my shoulders.

Lie flat on your back, on the bed is okay, no pillow under your head. Put your arms straight out at your sides. (You're making a T.) Then bring your knees up and flop them over to one side and turn your head to the opposite side. Do some deep breathing. About 4 deep slow breaths in and out. Then bring your head and knees back to the center and swith them to their opposite sides. Again, deep breaths. Do this a few times.

Good luck.

If you could find a good chiropractor, that may help.

Also, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar poured onto a cloth and covering the area with it (then cover with plastic and a towel) is also great for this type of thing. You could do this for an hour or two while watching TV or do this overnight. Try this daily for a week if needed.

Turmeric - 1/2 -1 t. twice a day is also a great anti-inflammatory and may help this, too.

I have had a bad upper back for years. Yes, the chiropractor can help. If you pull a muscle, and keep over using it you can send it into spasm, and just throw everything out of whack.

I also have a foam roller I use. They look like large foam "Water weenies" that kids use in pools, but the foam roller is much sturdier. You lay it on the floor and then roll on top of it.... It is excellent for self back massage. There are videos on the web showing how to use them. I love mine, it only cost around twenty dollars if I remember correctly.

Another thing, but much more expensive, is an inversion table. Cost anywhere from a couple hundred on up for a decent one.... Maybe a person could find one on Craigslist more cheaply though. They are excellent for stretching also. Again, more info on inversion tables online also. YouTube is usually a good source for videos.

And it goes without saying.... a decent massage therapist can do wonders if you have good insurance that will cover it.

I know how miserable a bad upper back / muscle spasm can be. I wish you very good luck in getting your back healthy again! :-)