- Ice and heat are typical treatments for pain relief. The benefit of using ice is that it numbs the pained area. Ice should be applied by using a pack that is relatively the size of the pained area. The pack should be applied to the area in small circles for no more than 15 minutes at a time to prevent freezer burn. Heat is usually applied to promote circulation for pain related to stiff muscles. Heat should be applied by keeping the heating pad on the area for no more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Stretching a sore area may provide pain relief. Yoga advocates say that one of the best benefits of Yoga is that it provides pain relief by forcing the body to maintain stretched positions for lengthy amounts of time. An example of a beneficial Yoga pose for hip-pain relief is the pigeon pose. You start out by sitting on the floor with legs crossed. Then you unfold one leg and rotate it behind your body, pointing your foot as straight back as possible. Place one hand by the folded knee, and the other hand next to the folded leg's foot. Gently press down with your fingers, puff your chest out and breathe deeply, maintaining this position for at least one minute before switching legs.
- For pain related to working out or a strenuous physical task, rest is sometimes the best form of relief. Whenever your muscles endure weight resistance beyond their normal capacity, the small muscle fibers tear and begin to rebuild as new fibers. If you don't allow your body to rest, the muscles never get a chance to repair. That may explain a prolonged soreness. For some cases, like with a sore lower back, the resting position should isolate the pain area. Pain relief for a sore lower back can come from lying on the floor, raising the upper legs to a 90-degree angle and resting the lower legs on a chair seat. This flattens the back and takes the strain off.
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