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Articles > Aches and Pains: When to use heat applications

Aches and Pains: When to use heat applications

Physical trauma and accidents can lead to acute and chronic pain in muscles, tendons, joints and the connective tissue, sometimes lasting for weeks, months and even years. A strained musculo-skeletal system can also occur in a body that is overworked from heavy physical or repetitive work (e.g. tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis). Continuous training in sport or lifting of a child or a patient can lead to overworked muscles, strains and injuries. Any injury can become painful, where inflammation irritates the affected nerve fibres. Instead of just suppressing the pain as is commonly done in conventional medicine it is important to nourish the impacted area with specific nutrients that will provide pain relief as well as support the healing and regeneration of the damaged tissue and prevent further injuries. Herbal remedies are especially suited to those who wish to use natural anti-inflammatories without nasty side-effects.

The classical healing herbs used in chronic joint and muscle pain are Arnica, Comfrey, Willow bark, St John's Wort and Rue. Yet sometimes aches and pains need that little bit extra attention. The warming properties of Cayenne are traditionally used in combination with the above mentioned herbs where pain is relieved by warmth and where extra circulation is beneficial as in chronic joint & muscle pain, chronic back pain, frozen shoulder and in rheumatism & arthritis. Cayenne draws the active ingredients of the herbal preparation into deeper layers to promote healing there and is particularly helpful in relieving deep-seated pain, spasms and stiff muscles & joints. Arthritis sufferers may enjoy the warmth of Cayenne as they may experience more flexibility in the joints.

The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of Cayenne are increased by regular use and herbal preparations with Cayenne are best applied on a daily basis until noticing improvement. Also apply after heavy physical or repetitive work and after exercise to prevent an aggravation of an existing condition and muscle discomfort following the activity.

In acute pain or in an impact injury to the bones and joints (e.g. shin, knees, hips, coccyx) the medicinal herbs Arnica, Comfrey, Willow bark, St John's Wort and Rue, together with the warming properties of Cayenne may deliver excellent first aid pain relief and often prevent or lessen an aggravation of the injured tissue. With their anti-inflammatory and tissue mending properties they not only relieve pain but also significantly accelerate the healing process of the strain.

According to the new principles in manual therapy heat should not be applied in first aid where tissue is prone to a lot of swelling. For the first 48 hours apply RICE treatment (Rest, Ice, newly: cold applications notice, Compression, Elevation). Warming application can be applied after 48 hours to bring circulation and nutrients into the area and to remove fluid, to accelerate the healing of the strain and to provide comfort and pain relief.
A warming herbal fresh-plant cream is also effective where tight shoulder and neck muscles lead to tension headaches. Rub it into the shoulders, neck and the base of the skull. The warming effect of the Cayenne is accelerated when applying the fresh-plant cream after a shower (do NOT use before a shower as it might be too hot!).

For long term and lasting results in strains, bruising and accidents Traditional Herbal Medicine recommends complementing the application of an external herbal fresh-plant cream by taking an internal herbal fresh-plant tincture. It thus addresses the inflammation and deep-seated pain from inside out with a natural, non-irritant anti-inflammatory and pain relieving remedy that supports the healing process at the same time. The recommended herbal combination of Arnica, Willow bark, St John's Wort, Comfrey, and Rue provides essential herbal nutrients for the internal healing of the impacted tissue and needs to be taken for a minimum of 4-6 weeks to enable a platform for recovery. Some people take a maintenance dose of this internal formula long term to prevent relapse.