Unconventional Ways to Treat Sore Muscles

SHAPE magazine

Whether you're getting back into the workout game or you just pushed yourself a little harder than you should have yesterday, sore muscles happen to the best of us. If ice packs just aren't doing it for you anymore, try changing your ow! to oh! with these unconventional tricks--they really work, we promise!

Cherry juice
Cherry juice

1. Cherry juice: You won't need a spoonful of sugar to help this medicine go down! Tart cherry juice has rapidly become one of the hottest super foods, thanks to its high level of antioxidants (even more than pomegranates!) and other benefits-one of which is decreased muscle soreness. Try adding a splash to your post-workout smoothie.









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Caffeine
Caffeine

2. Caffeine: Your morning latte just got a healthy halo, thanks to University of Georgia researchers who found that taking caffeine, about the equivalent of two cups of coffee, helped reduce muscle soreness in women after a strenuous workout. It works by blocking adenosine, a chemical released by your body in response to injury. Just be careful not to overdo this one, as too much caffeine can cause muscle spasms.








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Epsom salts
Epsom salts

3. Epsom salts: Magnesium, the primary component of epsom salts , is essential for healthy muscles and is a gentle natural muscle relaxant. The salts, when added to a warm bath or compress, are absorbed by the skin and are actually more effective this way than by taking an oral magnesium supplement. But then do you really need a reason to go take a nice, hot bath ?








For more unconventional ways to treat sore muscles, click here!

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