In Ayuveda, muscle cramp is known as  khalli vaata . Vyaana vaata it is a biological force that is responsible for regulating the functioning of your voluntary muscles. In case of a muscle cramp, the vyaana vaata gets impaired. Metabolic wastes are harmful toxins that tend to get accumulated in your system if not flushed out of your body and deposited between your muscle tissues and nerve-endings. This toxic waste is known as 'aama' in Ayurveda and it is known be a prominent cause of cramps. Besides aama, vata dosha is also responsible for muscles cramps.

Ayurveda provides a number of remedies to treat the problem of muscle cramps. The following are some of the most effective remedies to relief the discomfort of muscle cramps:
1. Drink warm milk to get instant relief from abdominal cramps. The alkaline properties of milk help to pacify the acidic condition in stomach that results in cramps. It is also a rich source of calcium which is known to aid in the relaxation of troubled muscles.
2. Physical activity including stretching exercise is effective in reducing the acute pain of leg cramps.
3. Garlic compound which is also called as 'Lagsunadivati' is helpful in relaxing muscles and it is also known to calm the  vata dosha  that aids in relieving muscle cramps.
4. Do warm up exercises and stretching exercises to lessen the risk of developing a muscle cramp during your workout session
5. Increase the intake of foods that are rich in minerals, calcium, potassium and magnesium as it is known to reduce the chances of muscle cramps.
6. Massage the painful region with 'prasarini taila' or 'mahanarayana taila' to relax the strained muscle.
7. Apply ice pack on the strained muscle to reduce the swelling and pain of the muscle.
8. Sinhanaada guggulu is well known to provide instant relief from muscle cramp. It has medicinal properties which have a mild laxative effect. It eases the problem of abdominal cramps and lessens the discomfort associated with it.
9. In case of extreme pain, 'Lakshmivilaas rasa',  Prataapa lankeswara rasa , are among the most effective Ayurvedic medications which are known to provide relief in case of chronic muscle cramps.

Muscle Cramps - How to Treat them Effectively through Ayurveda

Cuts and bruises, which you may get from a wide variety of sources, is one of the most commonly overlooked issues that many of you face on a regular basis. Cuts and grazes can be treated easily with homeopathy. There are many great homeopathic remedies, which deal with pain, inflammation and the general healing process. Here they are.

1. Arnica
Arnica is an excellent remedy when you have a bruise on your body. It helps reduce the swelling as well as the pain, in whichever part of the body you have swelling on. However, it is worth noting that arnica does not help much with muscle pain. 

2. Hypericum
It is worth note that arnica works best on parts of the body which do not have as many nerve endings. For example, the legs and arms are excellent places to administer arnica and it works very well there. However, it is worth note that arnica is not as good with parts of the body which have many nerve endings. This is where hypericum comes in. Bruises to the fingers, toes and spinal cord heal better with hypericum than they do with arnica.

3. Calendula
Calendula is a medicine, which can be applied as a tincture. A tincture is when a medicine is dissolved in alcohol. Apart from a tincture, calendula can also be used as a cream, spray or gel. It can heal shallow cuts very rapidly in all of these forms.

4. Millefolium
Millefolium is the best homeopathic remedy when there is excessive bleeding and the wound is not clotting properly. 

5. Staphisagria
This is another medicine used for cuts. However, it is worth noting that staphisagria is a very good medicine when it comes to treating cuts which are deep or have a stinging sensation.

How to Treat Cuts and Bruises With Homeopathy

Knee pain is a common phenomenon that plagues most of the people irrespective of their age. It can be the outcome of a torn cartilage or a ruptured ligament. Medical complications, such as infections, gout or arthritis (painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints) can also give way to knee pain. Minor knee pain can be eased by self-care remedies such as physical therapy or by putting on knee braces. However, few complications might demand surgical repair. Pain can be managed by the pain management specialists.

Tips to manage knee pain

1. Medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be administered to help remedy knee pain.
2. You can seek relief by massaging your knees with ointments constituting of a number of agents such as capsaicin or lidocaine.
3. Keep away from your usual chores to prevent repetitive strains on the knees, thus, allowing the injury to heal as well as to stay safe from further damage.
4. Applying an ice pack in a towel can ease the inflammation and pain. But do not extend its usage for more than 20 minutes because that might harm the skin and nerves.
5. Compression bandages can inhibit fluid accumulation in the damaged tissues aiding knee alignment stability. Ensure that it is tight enough to render support to your knees without actually obstructing blood circulation.
6. To pacify the swelling, try resting your sore leg on a pillow (the idea here is to keep the affected leg elevated to reduce further pain).
7. Shed off your extra pounds as being overweight increases chances of other disorders such as osteoarthritis.
8. Go for regular work outs to enhance and maintain the flexibility of your muscles as excessively weak or abnormally tight muscles can contribute to injuries. Be smart while choosing your method of exercise based on the condition you are suffering from.

Knee Pain - 8 Effective Ways to Manage it

A fall or an injury is among the most common causes of a fracture. For a fracture to heal; the bones must be set in the correct position and a cast may need to be worn so as to hold them in place. This allows the bones to grow new tissue and bridge the break. The food you eat can help you speed up this process. Some of the best foods to build strong bones and help a fracture heal are:

Milk: Milk is one of the richest sources of calcium and vitamin D. It is also rich in proteins. These three elements are crucial to building strong bones. Proteins help the body release amino acids which in turn come together and create new tissue for the bones. Calcium is, of course, the building block of our bones. However, it is vitamin D that enables the body to absorb this calcium and utilize it. If you do not like the taste of milk, you could substitute it with yogurt. This dairy product is considered equally rich in proteins, calcium and vitamin D. In addition, it also contains amino acids such as glutamine and lysine that helps the bones absorb calcium.
Kale: Kale is known as a superfood. One of the reasons for this is the amount of calcium it contains. Kale is one of the few vegetables that are rich in this mineral. Thus, lactose intolerant people can get their required calcium from this vegetable. Kale can be eaten raw or cooked. Kale can also be juiced. However, to benefit fully from the vitamins and minerals in this vegetable, it is best to eat it raw.
Spinach: Spinach is another green leafy vegetable that is rich in calcium. It also contains zinc. Zinc helps stimulate the chemical reactions needed to bind calcium and other minerals together to create new bones. In addition, spinach is also a rich source of vitamin K. While this vitamin does not play a direct role in healing bones, it helps speed up the healing process.
Broccoli: Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is rich in vitamin K1. This is very beneficial to your overall health and bone health. Vitamin K1 aids in the mineralization process of fusing broken bones together and building new bone tissue. Thus, it helps the bones set correctly.
Citrus Fruits: Fruits such as oranges are chock-full of vitamin C. This nutrient helps build a strong immune system and aids in the fracture healing process. Vitamin C also helps the body create collagen that surrounds the broken bones and allows it to heal faster.

Food Items That Help You Recover From Fractures!

Disc prolapse   or what is popularly known as a herniated disc   occurs when the soft, rubbery tissues of the spinal discs push through a crack in the tougher exterior casing. It usually results from wear and tear of the spinal discs over time.

Risk Factors-
The following factors may put you at risk of a disc prolapse  
  Genetics   You may have a tendency towards developing a disc prolapse
  Occupation   People who are engaged in physically demanding jobs are more likely to develop back pain
  Weight   Excessive body weight puts pressure on the discs in the lower back

Signs to Watch Out for-
Signs and symptoms of disc prolapsed may include the following  
  Pain in the legs, particularly in the calf, thigh, and buttocks
  Pain in the arms and shoulder that intensify when you sneeze, cough, or even move your spine into certain positions
  Tingling or numbness in the affected areas
  Muscle weakness
  Inability to hold an object

If the pain deteriorates i.e. if the pain shoots down from your back or neck to the extremities, consult a doctor immediately.

Acupuncture for Disc Prolapse-
Although there are certain non-surgical and surgical treatment methods, many healthcare professionals and doctors nowadays recommend acupuncture as an alternative cure.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that believes that people possess  Chi  or an energy force. When the force is unbalanced or blocked, your body becomes susceptible to illness and pain. Traditional acupuncturists strive to free up these energy channels (known as meridians) by inserting needles into specific points in your body. It activates the release of endorphins in your blood, which acts as natural pain relievers and reduces pain.
The process involves inserting multiple needles, depending on your diagnosis. Most people do not feel pain when the needles are inserted. In fact, they feel relaxed or energized. The acupuncturist will leave the needles in for about 20-40 minutes   this may cause temporary soreness but do not pose serious complications.
Acupuncture can help relieve pain associated with bulging, herniated disc. If you are considering this option, you should visit a complementary and alternative medicine practitioner.

Disc Prolapse - Know How Acupunture Can Help!

Hot and Cold therapy is one of the most popular home remedies for any kind of joint pain or muscle sprain. In some cases applying heat therapy and cold therapy alternatively, can help relieve the pain while for others only one form of therapy is necessary. To understand what to use when, one should first understand the effect of heat and cooling on the body.

Applying a heat pack or immersing the affected limb in hot water improves blood circulation and makes the muscles more flexible. Thus, it can help relax a muscle and fasten the healing of damaged tissues. On the other hand, cold therapy or cryotherapy reduces blood flow to the affected site. This helps relieve inflammation and pain caused by it. It can also make the area feel numb by reducing nerve activity temporarily.

Types of Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can be categorized as dry heat and moist heat. Dry heat involves using saunas or dry heating packs to relieve pain. This is also known as conducted heat therapy. As the name suggests, moist heat involves the use of steamed towels, hot baths and moist heating packs. This is also known as convection heat therapy. Moist heat is usually considered more effective than dry heat.

Types of Cold Therapy
Cold therapy may be applied to a part of the body or to the entire body. This includes ice packs, coolant sprays, ice baths, ice massages and whole body, cold therapy chambers.

How to use heat and cold therapy?
The sooner heat and cold therapy is given to a person, the faster they will recover from their pains. Heat therapy can be given to a person for extended periods of time but when giving cold therapy, a person should not be exposed to a cold pack or ice bath for more than 10-15 minutes. Care should also be taken no to apply ice or a frozen pack directly on the skin as it can damage the skin and nerves.

When not to use Heat Therapy?
If the injury site is swollen or bruised, cold therapy is better than heat therapy. Heat therapy should also not be applied to an open wound. People suffering from conditions such as diabetes, dermatitis, deep vein thrombosis, vascular diseases and multiple sclerosis should also avoid heat therapy as these conditions can increase the risk of burns and other such complications. Pregnant women should also consult a doctor before using a hot tub or sauna.

When not to use Cold Therapy?
Cold therapy is avoidable for treating stiff joints and muscles. People suffering from poor circulation and sensory disorders should also avoid using cold therapy without a doctor s supervision. 

Hot & Cold Therapy - How It Can Treat Pain?

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