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Leg Cramps? Why Arnica Lotion Is A Good Idea!

Image of Arnica Montana flowers

Anyone Can Get Leg Cramps

A leg cramp can come on anytime or anywhere to the young, old, and those in-between. A “Charley Horse,” as it’s sometimes called, or muscle spasm can come on suddenly with involuntary contractions of one or more of your muscles. You can experience a cramp from simply stretching upon waking up or have it startle you awake in the middle of the night. They are generally harmless but can make it difficult to use the affected muscles and they can cause severe pain.

You May Be More Susceptible To Leg Cramps If You Are:

  • Pregnant – Common during pregnancy as a result of the extra weight, pressure on the sciatic nerve, and fluid buildup – a condition known as edema.
  • An Athlete – Sweating from physical exertion can deplete the body of electrolytes and athletes can be prone to dehydration as well.
  • Elderly – Muscles get weaker and smaller as we age, with the nerves and tissues becoming thin. This thinning and weakness seems to be an initiator for the cramping.
  • Having a Medical Issue – Muscle cramps usually aren’t serious enough to require medical attention, but if you have diabetes, nerve, liver or thyroid disorders or suspect you might, do consult a physician. If you have swelling or changes in skin color with cramping you should always consult a medical professional.

Common Reasons For Leg Cramps:

  • Dehydration, which is an excessive loss of fluids
  • Nutrient deficiency, such as low levels of potassium or some other minerals
  • Exposure to extreme temperatures
  • Being sedentary or staying in one position to long
  • Physical over-exertion

Why Arnica Lotion Is A Good Idea:

Arnica Montana is a plant that grows in the mountainous regions of Europe. It has been used in herbal medicines for centuries, predominantly as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Arnica stimulates white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation and relaxes the muscles. When you apply Audel Naturals Arnica Lotion to the muscle spasms it quickly relaxes them and diminishes the pain and discomfort.

Apply the Arnica Lotion as quickly as you can, massaging it in will help relax the muscles. As soon as you are able to, gently stretch the muscles – as stretching can help to relax the cramps as well.

In addition, placing a heating pad or warm towel on the cramped muscle can also relax it and ease the pain. In contrast, some people prefer applying an ice pack.

The quality of the arnica lotion is important. Don’t be confused by products that flaunt a high quantity of Arnica, as this medicinal herb can be toxic in high doses. It can also irritate the skin for those with sensitivities. A 3% arnica tincture is considered safe and fairly standard in most arnica blends.

The Audel Naturals Arnica Lotion brand combines arnica with many other beneficial ingredients that relieve pain and relax muscles. A key component that you don’t often find is the addition of Liposome, which allows the ingredients to penetrate the skin more effectively, so you get relief more quickly. 

We hope you will add Audel Naturals Arnica Lotion to your self-care, so when that sudden leg cramp surprises you, you’ll be prepared!

To your good health!

The information provided is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of the information presented.

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5 Ways To Relieve Joint And Muscle Pain This Spring

“Everyone wants happiness, no one wants pain. But you can’t make a rainbow, without a little rain.”

Spring is in the air… birds chirping, trees budding, and lawn mowers whirling.April showers have not only brought out the rainbows, but also helped the weeds grow.

And you know what that means: aching backs, stiff joints and muscle pain! Those joints and muscles that have been hibernating all winter are now begging for relief. So what can you do to get back that spring in your step?

Here are 5 ways to relieve joint and muscle pain quickly:

Take A Soak
Taking a hot bath is one way to warm up those tight and achy muscles and relax them more quickly. The heat promotes better blood flow and increases circulation. If you have any Epsom salts on hand toss in a couple of cups and soak a good 15 minutes. Epsom salts are high in magnesium and sulfates and are easily absorbed through your skin. The combination of both will have you feeling good again in no time.

Oil Your Joints
Add omega-3 to your diet, they are known to decrease inflammation. 2-3 tablespoons of a high quality extra virgin olive oil per day is an alternative. Lubricating the joints from the outside can be beneficial as well if you don’t mind the olive oil on your skin. You can also add 3-5 drops of peppermint oil to the olive oil, which has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Soothe With Sound
Music is an easy, inexpensive, and natural way to reduce the intensity of pain. Music that you enjoy can release endorphins that relax you and distract you from your discomfort. And the more you relax the more you release muscle tension.

Move It Away
When you experience pain your body releases adrenalin and automatically tightens up. Numerous studies have shown that gentle exercises that stretch your muscles can reduce soreness. Yoga, tai chi, or just walking can help to relax the muscles. Avoid any strenuous exercises until you’ve recovered though to avoid injury.

Rub On Relief
Every household should have a bottle of arnica lotion on hand in their medicine cabinet. It has natural pain relieving and healing properties, reducing inflammation by stimulating white blood cell activity. And it works quickly to relieve joint and muscle pain.

Disclaimer: Always consult a physician if you have severe muscle or joint pain or if you believe you’ve been injured. If you have pain that persists it’s a good idea to be evaluated by a health-care practitioner.

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Pain Relief From Arthritis – 5 Latest Trends

Image of hand with lotion in palm

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is Optional.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by 2040, an estimated 78 million (26%) US adults are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. (1) Most suffer from joint pain, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and loss of flexibility . The more common areas affected are joints located in the lower back, hips, knees, feet, neck, fingers, and thumb base.

While the statistic above is startling and discouraging, those currently suffering are looking for options right now. Many people are seeking to ease their symptoms with natural approaches, especially when conventional approaches fall short. With the number of people afflicted on the rise, the search is on for natural alternatives and safer approaches to provide pain relief from arthritis.

Here are some of the most popular trends these days:

Arnica Montana
Arnica is a plant typically found in mountainous areas of Europe and North America with orange/yellow daisy like flowers. It contains anti-inflammatories that stimulate white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation. Though Arnica is used topically for speeding up the healing of bruises, using Arnica lotion for decreasing pain and inflammation associated with arthritis has gained widespread recognition these days.

Peppermint Essential Oil
The scent of peppermint may remind you of Christmas, candy or even tea, but did you know that peppermint has been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation? Many use peppermint essential oil topically and feel the soothing relief from muscle, joint, and arthritis pain. The high menthol content in peppermint has a nice cooling effect on the skin as well. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to dilute the pure oil with a fragrance free lotion. For added anti-inflammatory benefit, add it to the Arnica lotion mentioned above.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods
More people are altering their diet to include foods that are considered “anti-inflammatory.” These include vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins like beans and nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, fresh herbs,and spices. Modifying your diet could help reduce the number of flare-ups you have and possibly decrease your pain.

Ginger and Turmeric
Turmeric is actually related to the ginger family and they both have anti-inflammatory properties. The curcmin in turmeric blocks inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.  Ginger has been used in the Asian community for centuries to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and relieve digestive upsets. Many people with arthritis take these as supplements or drink them as tea.

Enzymes
Enzymes, Proteolytic enzymes to be specific, have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects as well. Reducing inflammation can decrease pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Proteolytic enzymes are found in foods such as tropical fruits, including papaya which contains papain, and pineapples which contain bromelain.

Disclaimer:
Always consult your health care provider before taking a new supplement, changing your diet or adding to your self-care routine to make sure it’s safe for you.

References
1. Hootman JM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, Theis KA, Boring MA.  Updated projected prevalence of self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation among US adults, 2015-2040.  Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2016 Mar 25. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1002/art.39692. PubMed PMID: 27015600.