Blasted from a big workout, yesterday’s 5K or a week’s worth of going hard, your muscles are crying. You might feel so sore that your mobility is affected. The second someone lays a hand on your shoulder or the thought of taking the stairs makes you shriek. Even if it isn’t that severe, sore muscles are nothing to ignore. Treat them with some TLC by using your favorite products and incorporating stretches and easy warm up movements to help you shake it off.
dōTERRA Deep Blue Rub: A rich, topical cream that infuses itself into your muscles. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and can be worked in via massage. Leave it on as long as you want, even during your workout. Your increasing body heat will activate it more. Get it here. Pair it with dōTERRA’s peppermint essential oil (just a drop or two) to add a fiery sensation.
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>> Read more: 39 Essential Oils for your Health
BioFreeze Roll On: Using menthol as the active ingredient, you roll on the topical treatment and it quickly moves through the skin into the bloodstream. The nerves are cooled, literally, and the pain message to the brain is blocked. It helps you to reduce pain right where you feel it, just like laying an ice pack on it. Get it here.
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Burt’s Bees Muscle Mend: The brand is known for developing products that work and smell good at the same time. It’s easy to slip into your purse or gym bag and begins working in minutes. It’s also gentle on sensitive skin. For sore muscles or an oncoming headache, this is a balm you want in your anti-pain arsenal. Get it here.
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Vi-Tae Pain Relief Sports Balm: This anti-inflammatory acts fast and lasts. The company is based off of all-natural ingredients in its products — paraben-free, gluten-free, colorant-free. It not only reduces pain, but visibly reduces swelling. The company also offers a money-back guarantee for up to one year! Get it here.
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Village Natural Therapy’s Aches & Pains Muscle Relief Mineral Bath Soak: A hot bath alone is an excellent way to relax those muscles. Add these salts into your tub and the aromatherapy will take it to a totally different level. With eucalyptus and menthol as the main ingredients, it’s 98 percent natural. Calm your body and your mind. Get it here.
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Trigger Point Performance “The Grid” Revolutionary Foam Roller: For pesky knots and tight muscles, use a foam roller. It works by performing myofascial release, a type of self-massage that works deep and on point. It hurts, but it works. For sore quadriceps, you would lie on your belly, prop yourself up on your hands or elbows and stick the roller between on thigh and the floor. Roll yourself forward and back, allowing your body weight to be the massage pressure. Use it on the upper back, IT band (side of thighs), glutes, calf muscles and lats. This model uses a shorter length and tiny additional pressure points in the grid. Get it here. You can also get it cheaper by picking up the basic polypropylene model here.
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>> Read more: 7 Ways to Rock Your Foam Roller
Body Back Buddy, Jr.: This S-shaped contraption is really a buddy. When you have sore knots between or underneath the shoulder blades, use this massage stick to gently and effectively ease them. This product actually comes with a booklet on different angles and methods you can try to get all the tough-to-reach spots. Increase the effectiveness by using it during a warm up and cool down, especially on days you’re maxing out the upper body. Get it here.
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Yoga Massage Ball by Mandala: For a pin-point release, pick up a massage ball. Some people will use a lacrosse ball as well because of its stability and smooth surface. Use the ball for the calf muscles, under the shoulder blades, the glutes and tricky places like the edge of the arm pit, groin or arch of the foot. Get it here. Pick up two and tape them together to create a cradle used for parallel massage therapy against the back muscles, calves, shoulders and neck. Get the manufactured double ball here.
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Click here to be guided through eight yoga poses that will help prevent injury [VIDEO].
truMedic TENS Unit Electronic Pulse Massager: It’s time to get serious and pull out the wires. Electronic pulse therapy is a muscle stimulator that triggers the cells to begin repair and strengthening. This is an ideal pickup for people who experience more chronic pain or repetitive soreness. It’s available over the counter, but ask your general physician if it would be a good investment for you. Get it here.
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When all else fails, sign yourself up for a massage and check out for an hour. If you experience chronic, sharp, throbbing or stabbing pain, do not try to treat it with massage rubs and devices. Set up an appointment to be seen by a medical professional because you could have an injury.
>> Read more: How A Massage Can Do A Body Good