Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Muscle Ache

The following are some of the homeopathic remedies that can be used for the management of muscle pain:

• Bryonia Alba
  Common Name: Wild hops
  Symptoms: Wild hops can be used to manage tearing pains that get better with rest. Some other symptoms that can be managed by bryonia alba are:
  • Burning pain and tenderness in the abdominal wall
  • Stiff neck along with pain at the nape of the neck
  • Redness and swelling in joints
  • Rheumatic pain and swelling

The symptoms worsen in the morning, after eating, and with touch. Symptoms get better on resting, by lying on the painful side, and on taking cold things.

• Rhus Toxicodendron
  Common Name: Poison-ivy
  Symptoms: Poison-ivy is mainly used to treat infections and ailments due to strain and lifting heavy weights. Following are some other symptoms that can be managed using this medicine:
  • Stiffness and paralysis of arms and legs
  • Ripping pain in tendons, ligaments and fascia
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Pain in the area between shoulders on swallowing
  • Numbness on overexertion
  • Tingling in feet

Symptoms worsen at night, on resting or sleeping, and in cold and rainy weather. The symptoms get better with motion such as walking and stretching limbs, in warm and dry weather and warm applications on the affected area.

• Veratrum Album
  Common Name: White hellebore
  Symptoms: White hellebore is primarily given in case of cramp-like pain in muscles. Other symptoms that can be treated by this remedy are:
  • Stomach pain
  • Tender and painful joints
  • Cramps in calves
  • Electric flash like pain, especially in the arms and legs
  • A sensation as if one's arms are swollen and paralysed
  • Abdominal cramps

The symptoms worsen in cold and humid climatic conditions and at night. The patient feels better in warm conditions and on taking a walk.

• Strychninum Purum
  Common Name: Alkaloid of nux vomica
  Symptoms: This remedy is best-suited to individuals experiencing muscle stiffness, spasms and cramps. It can also be used in the management of:
  • Sudden sharp pain in the abdomen (bowel area)
  • Contracting pain in chest muscles
  • Rigidity in the muscles of the upper back and neck
  • Severe twitching, and shivering
  • Sharp pain in abdominal muscles

Symptoms worsen in the morning, touching the painful area and with motion. Symptoms get better while lying on the back.

• Ruta Graveolens
  Common Name: Rue-bitterwort
  Symptoms: Ruta graveolens is an effective therapy for weakness and pain affecting any part of the body. It is also useful in treating:
  • Injury to the bone
  • Sprains
  • Pain in thighs while stretching legs
  • Pain and stiffness in arms
  • Restlessness
  • A bruised feeling in the spine, legs and arms

The symptoms worsen in cold or wet weather and on lying down.

• Rhamnus Californica
  Common Name: California coffee-tree
  Symptoms: California coffee-tree is one of the most suitable remedies for rheumatism and muscle pain. Few other symptoms that can be relieved using this remedy are:
  • Loss of control over the muscles
  • Soreness in legs
  • Swelling and pain in joints Read more: Joint pain causes
  • Muscle pain during menses

The symptoms worsen in the evening.

• Ranunculus Bulbosus 
  Common Name: Buttercup
  Symptoms: This medicine acts mainly on the muscles and the skin and helps treat the following symptoms:
  • Muscle ache along the lower margin of the shoulder blade
  • Tenderness in the abdomen
  • Pain and soreness in the chest
  • Pain as if bruised

Symptoms worsen in the evening, on exposure to open air, touching the affected area, and changes in weather.

• Gelsemium Sempervirens
  Common Name: Yellow jasmine
  Symptoms: Yellow jasmine is primarily used in treating paralysis of muscles around the eyes, throat, limbs, chest, and larynx. It can also help manage muscular weakness and other symptoms like:
  • Loss of control over certain muscles
  • Muscle cramps in the forearm
  • Muscle ache in the back, hip and the lower limbs
  • Neck pain
  • Relaxation of the muscular system
  • Pain from throat to the ear

Symptoms worsen when the patient thinks of them, on smoking, and in damp or foggy weather. Symptoms get better in the open air, on profuse urination, with continued movement and consumption of stimulants.

• Dulcamara
  Common Name: Bitter-sweet
  Symptoms: Dulcamara is a useful remedy for treating one-sided spasms and paralysis of a single part of the body. It can also help in the management of:
  • Stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulders and the lower back
  • Paralysis of limbs
  • Cutting pain in the navel region
  • Chills and pain

The symptoms worsen at night, in a damp climate like the monsoons and from cold. External warmth and motion can help in improving the symptoms.

• Arnica Montana
  Common Name: Leopard’s bane
  Symptoms: Leopard’s bane is a suitable therapy for traumatic injuries due to overexertion and strain. It can also treat pain in the body and infection. Following are some other symptoms that can be treated with arnica montana:
  • Pain in the limbs and back as if bruised
  • Cannot walk erect due to pelvic pain
  • Extremely cold forearm
  • Restlessness and sleeplessness

Symptoms worsen on resting and even with a slight touch on the affected area. They are also aggravated with motion and in damp and cold weather. Symptoms get better on keeping one's head low and on lying down.

• Aconitum Napellus
  Common Name: Monkshood
  Symptoms: Monkshood can help treat restlessness, and numbness, coldness and burning in the internal parts of the body. It can also help in the management of:
  • Shooting pains
  • Stiffness and pain at the nape of the neck
  • Inflammation of the joint
  • Swelling
  • Stitching pain in the chest
  • Unsteady knees

Symptoms worsen in the evening and night, while lying on the affected side, due to smoking and from dry and cold winds. Symptoms get better in the open air.

The therapeutic properties of homeopathic remedies may be affected by certain foods and beverages, especially those that possess medicinal properties. Also, the lifestyle followed by an individual may cause aggravation of symptoms. Hence, homeopathic doctors give some of the following instructions before initiating homeopathic treatment.

Do’s: 

• Take a healthy and balanced diet.
• Stay in clean and hygienic conditions.
• Include regular physical exercise in your daily routine.

Don’ts:

• Do not consume caffeine-containing beverages like coffee and tea.
• Do not consume drinks with strong odours or drinks that possess medicinal properties.
• Do not eat the roots, stems or leaves of plants that possess medicinal properties.
• Do not consume excessive amounts of any food item including sugar and salt.
• Avoid spicy food items.
• Try and avoid extreme emotions like grief and anger that may cause exertion of the mind or body.

Several homeopathic medicines are useful in treating muscle pain and its associated symptoms. The British Homeopathic Association states that diseases of the muscles like fibromyalgia and polymyalgia are generally diagnosed after a delay and are difficult to treat using conventional therapies. It also indicates the beneficial effects of many homeopathic remedies, e.g., rhus toxicodendron, kalium bichromicum and kalmia latifolia, in treating muscle ache due to various underlying causes.

A published review article involving data from numerous studies suggested the benefits and effectiveness of homeopathic remedies in treating individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome, which is one of the causes of muscle pain. 

In a clinical study conducted by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, 447 participants with influenza-like illness and symptoms including muscle pain, fever and headache were divided into three groups. The participants were either given different homeopathic remedies of two potencies or placebo. Arsenicum album, bryonia alba and rhus toxicodendron were the most commonly prescribed remedies. Regardless of the potency of medicines, it was found that individualised homeopathic remedies were effective in relieving myalgia on the first day of the treatment and improve the overall condition of the patient. The complications were also very less, indicating the safety of homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances that are extensively diluted before use. The dilution reduces the risk of side effects while retaining the medicinal properties of the medicine. Homeopathy is mainly useful in individuals who cannot opt for conventional therapy due to the risks of adverse effects.

Although homeopathy is safe and effective, it should always be used after consulting an experienced homeopathic practitioner who is well aware of the composition of these remedies and will prescribe the most suitable therapy based on your clinical status and along with the necessary diet and lifestyle modifications.

Muscle pain is one of the most common discomforting symptoms that affect all our physical and mental activities and makes it difficult to focus on work. Muscle pain can be caused by different underlying causes that need to be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. There are numerous conventional remedies available for treating muscle pain and also its underlying causes. Homeopathy offers natural remedies that are free of side effects and is particularly beneficial to those who cannot take pain killers over the counter. Although safe for a wide range of population, homeopathic medicines should be taken after consulting a doctor who will prescribe you the best remedies based on your disease condition and mental and physical constitution.