by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: July 11, 2010   Last Updated: September 11, 2011

Although there are many reasons why muscle pain may occur, it is comforting to know that we are not completely reliant on prescription drugs for treatment, there are a number of natural means for reducing muscle pain that are also available. There are alternative therapies, herbs, and natural medicine which can be used for treating muscle pain.

Inflammation, over exertion, under exertion, vitamin deficiency, medications, injury, and illness can all be underlying reasons as to why muscle aches and pains occur. It all adds up to the same conclusion,  your muscles may be stressed to the point where damage can occur, and they hurt.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency has moved into the limelight lately and for very good reasons. Studies are indicating that a very high percentage of the population do not receive sufficient sunlight, especially during winter months, to supply an adequate amount of this vitamin. As muscle pain is one of the symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency, then taking this supplement on a daily basis may help to eliminate your muscle aches, if a vitamin imbalance is the root cause of your muscle pain.

Magnesium: Another supplement that if deficient can be the cause of muscle aches, spasms, or cramps is the mineral Magnesium. Magnesium acts as a blocker of calcium into the nerves. Too little magnesium can result in an over abundance of calcium stimulating the nerves and causing muscles to over contract. The result of a magnesium deficiency is muscle pain.

Because Magnesium can be toxic if taken in too large a quantity it is recommended that Magnesium be acquired from natural sources. Foods that are high in Magnesium are Spinach, Swiss char, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Salmon, Halibut, Black beans and Navy Beans.

Magnesium can also be easily absorbed through the skin so soaking your feet in Epsom salts, which are rich in magnesium, is a nice relaxing way to relieve muscle stress and pain.

Ginger and Turmeric: For inflammation or exercise based muscle pain Ginger and Turmeric are two common household spices that may actually help you to relieve muscle pain. Both are known for their strong anti-inflammatory properties and each has been used for thousands of years to naturally treat a variety of ailments. Their role in the treatment of muscle pain is only recently being researched and is showing positive signs as a natural therapy.

If your muscle aches are caused by the stress of over exertion, or an inflammatory

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