What remedies can I use for chronic inflammation and aches in my legs?

Inflammation and aches in the legs are developed due to many different factors. Bad posture, standing for a long duration on a particular day, PMS, the menstruation cycles, tiredness, pregnancy and excessive walking are considered to be some of the primary reasons for the development of aches and pains in legs. An ache or pain of this nature can be minor and last for a few hours or can also be a chronic condition. At times, you may also feel some soreness or numbness in your feet. Whilst there are many medications existing which can be used to treat your condition, it is not advisable to use these on a regular basis, especially if you experience leg ache frequently.

There are several home remedies available to treat the symptoms but it is always a good practice to rule out doubts and other health disorders by consulting with your physician on its cause. In addition to your primary medication, you can try some home remedies; one of these includes soaking your feet in warm water. Remember to check the temperature of the water before you soak in your feet. The feet must be immersed in the water only if you are comfortable with the temperature. Adding some drops of peppermint can also enhance in soothing the tired legs and relieving the pain in your feet. The feet must be kept immersed in the water till it has cooled down.

Another folk remedy is to use a heated brick as a foot compress. A popular folk remedy involves the use of heating a brick and wrapping it in a clean wash cloth. Use the wrapped brick as a heat compress is highly popular in some parts of the world in treating inflammations and pains. Folk therapists believed that the heat disseminated by the brick helps in loosening the tendons and the leg muscles.

Always ensure that your weight is proportionately balanced on both your feet when you are standing. When you stand in a manner that leads to your body weight being improperly balanced, additional pressure is applied to either of your feet which causes the aches.

Needless to say, it is very important to wear appropriate comfortable footwear. You must bear in mind that it is far more advisable to wear flat footwear rather than heeled footwear or sandals especially if you have a long day of standing ahead of you. Massaging your feet with essential oils of olive, coconut or almonds is also thought to be effective in relieving the pain in the legs. If you feel that your muscle is tender or that you have a pulled muscle, you can attempt at stretching the muscle in a natural position and then massaging it in a gentle manner.

Wrapping a bandage around the muscle is also believed to be a good idea in order to ensure that the position of the muscle is kept secure.

answered by G M

Chronic inflammation has slow onset but it persists for quite long. It may be caused due to excessive stress on any part of the leg, any injury or accident or at times after surgery. It also warns the onset of arthritis, which should be taken care of greatly. If chronic inflammation is not handled with care it leads to acute inflammation in some time. Fibrosis may also be caused which would stiffen the surrounding tissues and the nerves and obstruct the normal flow of the blood in the vessels which may adverse the situation. It can also harm the tissues permanently.

Certain home remedies for inflammation work wonders in the case of chronic inflammation. Consuming a proper diet and increasing the amount of protein intake in the diet helps to keep the situation in control and is one of the best suggestive home remedies for chronic inflammation. Steamed vegetables help to provide proteins and carbohydrates in proper proportion to the body. Beans and green peas should be part of your daily diet. Soaked legumes and beans too should be consumed. If one prefers non vegetarian food, then inclusion of fish and chicken can be an added advantage.

Drinking lots of water daily is a natural treatment for inflammation and it should be made a habit. Distilled water consumption should be avoided.

Doing little exercises as a part of natural cure for inflammation would relieve muscle aches and would be a good practice to be adapted. Putting the legs in warm water and doing massage thereafter may provide little relaxation to the stiff muscles. RICE Therapy (R- Rest, I - applying ice, C- Compressing the muscles and E- Elevating the muscles ) may provide the required physical exercise to the affected leg area. Applying ice helps in reducing the swelling while compression and elevation help in providing the proper stretching and relaxation to the stiff muscles.

answered by S C