Arnica... Not just another pretty flower!

-

Arnica is an amazing little flower!

 This flower is a part of the Daisy family and can be used to reduce inflammation, decrease pain and help bruises heal quicker. A tube of Arnica cream can be purchased at many health and drug stores and is also found in several different muscle-rub products that athletes like to use when they are having pain. By itself, Arnica cream doesn't have a scent, but often it is added to products that do.  Menthol, peppermint and other helpful ingredients that are considered to have strong scent by some, are often added to pain relieving gels and creams because they are very helpful in reducing pain.
If you are sensitive to strong menthol type scents, be aware.

Here are a couple products that we like to use and few key ingredients that they contain:

Biofreeze
  • Menthol - Cold therapy to numb pain
  • Boswellia - A plant product that also helps fight inflammation
  • Arnica - Helps with inflammation & pain
Biofreeze use to be challenging to find, but now it is almost everywhere that sells similar products. It comes in a tube, a roller, which is nice because it doubles as a self-massage and doesn't get on your hands and it comes in a spray, which makes it great for reaching areas such as your back that would otherwise be difficult to get to.


Penetrex

  • Peppermint - Helps with inflammation & pain
  • Vitamin B6 - Relieves symptoms from arthritis 
  • MSM - Organic Sulfur Compound that helps with inflammation
Penetrex has many of the same ingredients as Biofreeze, but a few additional ones as well. It has a lighter scent than Biofreeze and doesn't have the same icy intensity. It's great for inflammation and helps calm grumpy joints, especially if used consistently. 





We also like to use massage products such as, Biotone Dual Purpose Massage Creme and Soothing Touch Jojoba Lotion that have Arnica added, which makes a good massage even better. The next time that you come in for a massage and are experiencing muscle aches, ask your therapist if they have any products that contain Arnica or bring in your own favorite!



 When you are suffering from muscle aches and pains, take advantage of all the healthy, natural products that are available to help you feel better. It will be a trial and error adventure to figure out which product works best for you, as every individual is unique as to what works best for them. Along with ice and heat therapy, massage, gentle stretching and rest, these products will help you not only feel better but allow the body heal quicker and get you back to doing the things that you love!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us:

Massage Extraordinaire
San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club
4848 Tecolote Rd. San Diego, Ca
Appointments (619) 295-3516
1sdmassage@gmail.com



We are located inside the beautiful San Diego Tennis and Racquet Ball Club.
Our rooms overlook the pool area.
Jacuzzi, steam room & sauna are included with your massage, if desired.
There are showers and fluffy robes as well.
It's the complete experience!



Check out our Facebook page to find out how you can win a FREE 1 HR Massage!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Got Shoulder Pain? Don't be surprised if your massage therapist starts working on your neck.

-
Image
When pain is felt between the shoulder blades, it would be assumed that there is a problem somewhere in that area, but it could actually be coming from your neck area. Knowing where the pain originates from can help in formulating a treatment plan to alleviate discomfort. Better yet, knowing how the problem started, can help the pain from developing to begin with. Nerves: The Struggle is Real Pain is caused by the nerves becoming entrapped within tight muscles. The area around the neck and shoulders is especially prone to entrapment due to the crowded nerves that run from the neck area down into the scapular (shoulder) area. They twist and turn in tight spaces around and through muscles that run along your spine from the base of your skull down into your shoulder area.  When the muscles become tight and inflamed they further compress and crowd the nerves. That causes the nerves to become grumpy. The grumpiness runs all the way down to the muscles between your shoulder blades. ...
Read more

Mindful Relaxation in a Covid-19 World

-
Image
The positive impact that stress management has on your health is well worth the effort! Many people depend on massage therapy to work out their aches and pains and to bring them to a state of relaxation. During this Covid-19 era there has been a heightened sense of anxiety and stress and a lack of ability to continue our normal routines of self care that we desire and that we need. As we've discussed in past articles, there are multiple ways to self-massage to calm muscle tension. Although nothing compares to the hands and skills of  a professional body-worker, some relief can be found through self-massage care. As you break out the tennis balls and foam rollers to work out your knots, don't neglect the importance that mindful relaxation has on your health. The benefits are bountiful and lasting! Some mistakenly understand the pursuit of relaxation practices, including massage therapy, to be only a thing of luxury, something that is decadent, a treat to be h...
Read more

Fascia's Role in Stiffness, Tightness & Pain

-
Image
What is Fascia? Fascia is the connective tissue that literally holds the entire body together. Imagine a whole roasting chicken that you would find at your grocery store. If you were to pull up on the skin of the chicken, you would see a substance that is attached underneath the skin and also to the muscle beneath it. It is clear, thin and sticky. This is the fascia. How the fascia becomes damaged  and what happens when the fascia is damaged Plantar fasciitis: Plantar, being the bottom of the foot and fasci itis (any word with "itis" at the end of it, means that something is inflamed and irritated).  Put those two together and you have a recipe for very uncomfortable pain that can often takes weeks or months to rehabilitate. If you have ever experienced plantar fasciitis, you have unfortunately become acquainted with damaged fascia. This is just one common example of how the fascia can play a role in contributing to our various aches and pains.  W...
Read more