Health issues, strains and injuries can cause muscle and nerve pain. Muscle pain is often caused by tension, overuse or muscle damage associated with intense physical work, states MedlinePlus. Nerve pain causes include traumatic injury and certain long-term medical conditions. Muscle and nerve pain may occur simultaneously. Review dietary supplements to treat muscle and nerve pain with a qualified health care professional who can offer helpful advice and guidance.
Muscle and Nerve Pain
There are distinct differences between muscle pain and nerve pain. Nerve pain tends to be chronic or longstanding, while muscle pain is usually transient. Nerve pain may be described as tingling or burning, often lasts for many months and is caused by diseases or injury to your nerves. Muscle injury typically causes pain, swelling and inflammation that affect your muscles and joints. Both types of pain can significantly affect your quality of life and your ability to carry out normal daily activities.
Dietary Supplements
Numerous dietary supplements may help treat muscle and nerve pain. According to Sharol Tilgner, expert herbalist, naturopathic doctor and author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," remedies to help reduce muscle pain include arnica, St. John's wort, calendula, rue, devil's claw, white willow and cayenne. Turmeric and bromelain may also be helpful in reducing muscle pain and inflammation. Dietary supplements to help reduce nerve pain include corydalis, kava kava, valerian, Jamaican dogwood and meadowsweet.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort may help treat both muscle and nerve pain. The herb possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to help treat a variety of nerve-related disorders, including nerve pain, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Conditions that St. John's wort supplementation may benefit include nerve and muscle injury, inflammation and pain, depression, sciatica and multiple sclerosis.
Precautions
Take the necessary precautions before using dietary supplements for your muscle and nerve pain. Schedule a visit with your primary health care provider for a thorough evaluation of your specific condition. Discuss topics related to dietary supplementation, such as which supplements may help, which supplements you should avoid, dosage and any drug interactions that may occur with supplementation. A nutritionist can provide you with detailed information about safe and effective dietary supplements for your muscle or nerve pain.
References
- MedlinePlus: Muscle Aches
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- University of Maryland Medical Center: St. John's Wort
