Did you know there’s an all-natural supplement that can help soothe sore muscles and back pain? It’s not exotic, it’s not new, and it’s not expensive — it’s magnesium.
A few years ago when I was pregnant with my son, my once occasional migraines had become monthly occurrences, I was having terrible neck pain, and my sciatica was acting up to the point that I was having difficulty walking. I was a mess.
Magnesium changed everything for me — it’s this simple supplement that I have to thank for natural, affordable migraine prevention and instant muscle relief whenever I need it.
What Causes Muscle Pain?
To understand why magnesium is a miracle cure for everything from muscle pain to migraines, you first need to understand the root cause and underlying symptoms of these things.
Muscle pain most often occurs when overuse causes injury and inflammation. Whether you sleep on it wrong or overwork it at the gym, the muscle itself becomes inflamed and painful — and until the inflammation goes away, the pain sticks around.
Common culprits include:
- Sleeping incorrectly or on a low-quality mattress
- Hormonal changes
- Medications
- Hypothyroidism
- Vitamin deficiencies
Yes, you read that correctly — not getting the correct vitamins and minerals can actually cause muscle aches and fatigue, which is where our key supplement comes in.
How Magnesium Works to Heal Muscle Pain & Where to Find it
Magnesium, despite not being talked about very much in mainstream health, is a miracle mineral that is actually necessary for over 300 processes in the body, from regulating your heartbeat to maintaining a healthy immune system.
This important mineral is a natural anti-inflammatory that is also critical to efficient nervous system and circulatory system function — and that’s what makes it such a powerful natural pain reliever for everything from migraines to muscle aches.
Magnesium is found in a wide variety of foods, including:
- Nuts (cashews, cocoa powder)
- Whole, unprocessed grains (wheat berries, for example)
- Beans and legumes
- Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard)
Using Magnesium for Muscle Pain Relief
If you slept the wrong way the night before your pain is likely temporary, but still can be somewhat debilitating. This is why I love magnesium oil!
Magnesium is one of those particular minerals that is actually absorbed fastest and most effectively through the skin. Though oral supplementation with capsules is a great way to keep other problems at bay, for muscle pain topical magnesium is the way to go.
You can buy the oil at most health food and supplement stores, or get it in butter-form with beneficial, pain relieving essential oils in it for an extra dose of pain relief. My friend Salome makes a fantastic magnesium butter, and it has been an absolute lifesaver for those days when my neck pain creeps back in. Seriously, this stuff is magic. You can get it here.
Other Things Magnesium Helps With
I’m a huge advocate, simply because deficiency can lead to so many problems. For me, magnesium almost completely eliminated my migraines, but the benefits of its use go well beyond treating muscle aches and migraines. It also helps with:
- PMS symptoms
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Heart health/arrhythmia
- Depression
- Asthma
- Diabetes/blood sugar control
- Fibryomyalgia
Why You Might Need a Supplement Anyway
Despite the critical role magnesium plays in the function of the human body, it’s estimated that 80% of Americans suffer from deficiency, likely contributing to everything from high blood pressure to chronic pain and fatigue.
The problem is that magnesium is a mineral typically only found in whole, unprocessed foods, and is found in the highest amounts in raw nuts and grains. Most people simply don’t consume enough of these foods on a daily basis to get what their body needs.
Possible Side Effects of Overuse
As much as I love magnesium for those “I slept weird” aches and pains, there is always such a thing as too much of a good thing, and this miracle mineral is certainly no exception.
If you’re already getting magnesium from your diet or another multivitamin, you could experience some of the side effects of having too much in your system, which can include things like fatigue, nausea and low blood pressure. As with any medication or supplement, talk to your doctor before beginning a supplementation regimen.
Are you a magnesium fan? Do you have a favorite natural remedy to share? Leave a comment or tag us on Facebook or Instagram with @avocadomattress.
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