Definition :– generalized aching and stiffness of the muscles of the trunk, hips and shoulders.
Symptoms:
- Aching stiffness and pain, worsening with fatigue, straining or overuse,
- tenderness,
- poor sleep,
- anxiety,
- depression,
- fatigue,
- irritable bowel syndrome
Physical Causes:
- Muscle strain,
- stress
- complication of certain infection,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- systemic lupus erythmatosus
Treatment:
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Eat a well-balanced diet of 50% raw foods and fresh ‘live juices’ (mostly vegetables, whole grains, fruits, raw nuts and seeds, soy products, skinless turkey or chicken and deepwater fish) – supply nutrients to renew energy and build immunity
- Include pomegranates and its juice – anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Eat 4-5 small meals daily – steady supply of protein and carbohydrates for proper muscle function; and to prevent muscle wasting and pain
- Drink plenty of liquids to help flush out toxins, preferably steam-distilled water and green teas
- Limit intake of green peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and white potatoes – contain solanine which interferes with muscle enzymes and may cause pain and discomfort
- Avoid meat, dairy and other foods high in saturated fats – raise cholesterol and interfere with circulation, and promote inflammation and pain; also avoid fried and processed foods, shellfish and white flour
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugar – promote fatigue, increase pain, disturb sleep (initial withdrawal effect possible – worse symptoms)
- Heat, massage – relax muscles and reduce joint stiffness
- Get regular moderate exercise and enough rest
- Stress reduction
Supplement Recommendations
- Co-enzyme Q10 (75 mg daily) – improves tissue oxygenation; enhance immunity; protects heart
- Lecithin – promotes energy, enhances immunity, aids brain function, improves circulation
- Malic acid and magnesium – energy production in muscle and other cells; sugar metabolism
- Enzymes (6x daily) – reduces inflammation and improves absorption of foods, especially protein needed for tissue repair
Herbs:-
- Boswellia – for morning stiffness and joint pain
- A part cayenne powder mixed with 3 parts wintergreen oil (topical) – relieves muscle pain
- 4-6 ounces ginger powder into a moderately hot bath; hot ginger tea – induce sweating and remove toxins
- Ginkgo biloba – improves brain function and circulation
What is the body’s message?
Our muscles move our frame, and carry memory of all our experiences. So if our muscles ache chronically, perhaps we are harbouring a deep yearning to be recognized, to have our actions appreciated and acknowledged, to be considered with compassion, to be able to rest in the knowledge that we are seen, rather than having to consistently work so hard at being noticed? Maybe we are collapsing under the weight of the accumulation of traumas in our lives. We need to free up blocked energy to enable us to move freely and to find our way comfortably through life. There are many possibilities in line with this, and your personal traumas and experiences related to the context must be considered.