7 Home Remedies for Joint and Muscle Pain in Legs

Leg pain often strikes as sudden stabbing sensations that cause discomfort around the muscles and joints. Mild leg pain is often the result of intense physical workouts. With rest, the joint and muscle pain in your legs should disappear naturally. The more severe cases of leg pain are attributed to accidents, injuries, and physical trauma. Ongoing physiotherapy treatment and natural remedies may be required to speed up the healing process.

The best treatment for joint and muscle pain in your leg depends on the cause. Getting a professional diagnosis is the best way to find out which treatment would be the most effective. In many cases, making lifestyle and dietary changes may help with the recovery process. Stretching, doing low-impact workouts, and switching to an anti-inflammatory diet are among the first steps taken to overcome your leg pain.

Check out these seven best home remedies for joint and muscle pain in the legs:

Home Remedy #1: Stretch your legs

Stretching exercises are great for relieving tension from the leg muscles. These stretches also help to boost blood circulation. One of the most recommended exercises is the standing hamstring stretch, which requires you to stand in an upright position with the heel of one foot elevated. With each stretch, you hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds, repeating three times and then switching to the other leg.

Other popular stretching exercises include the sitting spinal stretch, knee to opposite shoulder stretches, and the sitting pigeon pose. Essentially, any stretching routine that decompresses the spine and loosens up your glutes will be beneficial. Another trick you can use to relieve inflammation is to lift your leg just above the heart level, which drains the fluids that may cause swelling.

Home Remedy #2: Rest your legs

If you are experiencing joint and muscle pain in your legs due to strenuous physical activity, you need to get proper rest. Hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep might be the best natural remedy for joint pain. When your body gets enough rest, this speeds up the process of healing and muscle recovery.

Ideally, you should have at least seven hours of sleep everyday, whether you are experiencing pain or not. If insomnia is an issue, drink cherry juice or eat a banana before going to bed. These fruits contain melatonin, which is a natural sleeping aid with zero side effects.

If you take supplements or medication to help you fall asleep, consult your doctor to see if they are reacting with the food you eat. In some cases, the chemical interactions may worsen the joint and muscle pain in legs, which you won't want to experience.

Home Remedy #3: Acupressure therapy

Acupressure therapy involves applying pressure on specific points of the body to stimulate recovery and healing. You can massage these points for leg pain relief. Start by running four fingers from the shin to the knee until you feel a bump. When you reach the knee or before crossing that mark, place your pinkie finger down to feel the tender area. Massage this spot for approximately four minutes.

After doing the acupressure therapy, you should feel the pain dissipating. It's important to note the degree of effectiveness varies between individuals, with some people reporting a better success than others. If this home remedy does not work and your leg pain is still severe, consult a chiropractor.

Home Remedy #4: Yoga

Yoga applies therapeutic exercises to get rid of blockages in the body, rendering the energy channels more receptive. The yoga exercises aim to detox your body and speed up the healing process. Best of all, these exercises can be done in the comfort of your home, making it one of the most convenient joint pain remedies.

The catch with yoga is that you need to perform the exercises or poses correctly to avoid further injuring yourself. Working alongside an expert practitioner or a yoga instructor is highly recommended. Besides yoga, you can also try Qi Gong, a common home remedy for joint and muscle pain in the legs during pregnancy.

Home Remedy #5: Warm compress

You may be experiencing joint and muscle pain in the legs due to insufficient blood circulation. If this is the case, using heat packs or a warm compress can significantly reduce the pain. Place one of these warm compresses on the affected area, leaving it in place for 10-15 minutes. Your muscles will begin to loosen up and relax, giving you relief from the pain.

Other heating sources include microwaveable pads, electrical pads, and wheat packs. Some unorthodox methods that can also help include using uncooked rice, warmed potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs.

Home Remedy #6: Magnesium & potassium in your diet

A great way to treat leg pain is by adding foods rich in magnesium and potassium to your diet. A deficiency in magnesium or potassium can lead to leg pain, so restoring their levels can alleviate some of the pain. There are plenty of healthy foods packed with magnesium and potassium, including tomato juice, plums, raisins, yogurt, fish, whole grains, and bananas.

Home Remedy #7: Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains analgesic properties, which soothe inflammation and offer pain relief in the legs. On an empty stomach, preferably early in the morning, drink a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar. Alternatively, you can mix the solution in your bath water before you bathe.

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for relieving leg nerve pain. For the best results, use raw organic apple cider vinegar. If you prefer drinking it but can't stand the taste, add some honey to make the apple cider vinegar go down easier.