It’s that proud moment we have been waiting for the last few months. Naatu-Naatu from the film RRR won the Best Original Song at the Oscars 2023, and if you are hoping to dance along and replicate the hook steps of Jr NTR and Ram Charan Tej, you are most welcome! 

And before you break into the jig to the song composed by M.M. Keeravani, penned by lyricist Chandrabose, do it now, but not without this caution!

Do you know that both actors took multiple takes and suffered from severe leg pain and cramps for the next few weeks after shooting for Naatu-Naatu, as the director of RRR, S.S. Rajamouli, wanted every frame super perfect? Well, that shouldn’t deter you from having a joyful moment. But before that, please read on to understand how to handle leg pain and curb those cramps with simple home remedies. 

Main

Know About Your Legs:

Our legs are a collection of bones and five primary muscles- quadriceps, hamstrings, shins, adductors, and calves. Their role in the human body is highly imminent. A little discomfort in any leg muscle stops our body functions, making us hard to move around. Ranging from moderate to severe, broadly, leg pain can arise from wear and tear or damage to the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, soft tissues, or bones. Leg pain and discomfort have become very common not only among the elderly but even the younger population. Depending on the severity, a strenuous exercise routine, decreased water intake, underlying medical conditions, inflammation, or peripheral nerve damage (primarily due to diabetes) can cause mild or throbbing pain in the leg. 

Also Read: Shin Splints: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Causes Of Pain In Legs

Besides overuse of leg muscles, decreased water intake or certain underlying medical conditions can cause the legs muscles. Here are some of the health conditions that cause leg pain:

  • Over-straining of forces by hardcore workouts or excessive activity 
  • Use of diuretics
  • Hairline fracture
  • Tendinitis- swelling of tendons
  • Deep vein thrombosis 
  • Soft tissue and skin infection
  • Arthritis
  • Improper circulation of blood due to the narrowing of blood vessels
  • A pain that radiates to the lower leg due to slipped disc in the back called sciatica
  • Myalgia
  • Bone cancers like osteosarcoma

Also Read: Osteosarcoma: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

5 Best Ways To Alleviate Leg Pain And Achy Muscles

We resort to every possible way to eliminate the discomfort at the earliest outset; if the pain doesn’t subside in a few days, it is best to seek medical advice. The doctor will ask for tests or scans, looking for underlying conditions to find out the exact cause. In some cases, certain deficiencies can also lead to leg weakness and pain which supplements can treat besides tests. However, while you are planning to find a remedial solution and figure out the course of action, here are 5 easy home remedies from the ingredients you can find on your kitchen shelves to ease all kinds of leg pains.

collage

Saffron Water 

Saffron water is imbued with potent bioactive phytochemicals to alleviate conditions related to leg pain and cramps. Boil a few threads of saffron in a cup of boiling water. Alternatively, you can use saffron powder as well. Strain it and let it cool down. Drinking this concoction will help you eliminate severe leg aches and muscle cramps.

Salt Bath

Salt baths are known to soothe inflammatory pain and relax sore muscles. One of the best salts, Epsom salt, has been used for hundreds of years as a pain reliever. Epsom salt is nothing but magnesium sulphate compound that absorbs quickly into the skin and provides a soothing effect on the legs. Another salt that is used for hot baths and foot soaks is rock salt. This salt, a pure form of sodium chloride, has nutrients such as potassium that can soothe muscle cramps. Add half a cup of Epsom salt or rock salt to lukewarm water in a bucket. Soak the swollen areas for about twenty minutes. 

Garlic

A bestowed bioactive compound called allicin, garlic has been a wonder herb replete with many antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, garlic is widely used for managing leg pain in two ways. One is crushing it and having it on an empty stomach in the morning. The second is applying it topically as an oil or crushing the cloves and mixing it with essential or coconut oil.

Giloy

Giloy is laden with powerful anti-inflammatory benefits and anti-arthritic properties. Therefore, it works wonders in all kinds of joint pain and inflammation. Due to its pain-relieving properties, consuming giloy powder with warm milk will reduce all types of inflammation that may have occurred due to a sudden injury or sprain due to strenuous exercise.

Also Read: Giloy Satva Powder: Benefits, Uses, Ingredients, Method, Dosage, and Side Effects

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil contains a compound called tannin that has proven beneficial to alleviate muscle tension and reduce swelling, even in case of arthritis-related pain. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in warm water and soak the area of your legs that pains or whole portions. A few drops of this oil can also be mixed with lavender oil for better results. This can be done every night before going to sleep.