Cure Sore Muscles with Nutrition
Have you ever considered that one of the simplest ways to cure sore muscles can be with diet and nutrition?
There are many reasons for sore muscles, however, when considering body aches and pains, including sore muscles and joints, this can be the first, and best, place to start. It is so often the root of the problem and so easy to fix!
There are many so called “cures” out there that simply deal with the symptoms without getting to the root of the issue.. Of course if you have a hard workout it is normal to be a little stiff and sore afterwards, however, this should pass quickly and not be an everyday, chronic problem.
Relating sore muscles to nutrition
I am an avid learner, and was delighted to come across the International College of Applied Kinesiology many years ago.
Applied Kinesiology (AK), as taught by ICAK, relates the neuromuscular function to the structural, chemical and neurological regulatory mechanisms. Which, simply put, relates the function of your muscles to structural balance (the physical functioning of your body, the skeletal and muscular systems), chemical balance (allergies, toxins, nutrition) and the mental / emotional.
Using this wonderful tool it is possible to determine the reason why a particular muscle is not able to function to its best.
So, how to cure sore muscles..
Working out, along with specific exercises will, of course, strengthen muscles, and stretching help you to remain supple. But are your muscles functioning at their best?
AK looks at the possible reasons that muscles are working at a sub-optimal level. It considers 3 main aspects: there needs to correct alignment of your musculoskeletal system, their needs to be no toxins or allergies that effectively ‘poison’ your muscles, and their needs to be enough fuel, i.e nutrition.
Each muscles is considered to need specific nutrition. Not enough of that nutrient and the muscle just cannot work as well as it could. In this case working out can actually make you less strong and potentially cause injury.
Here are a few of the bigger muscle groups and the nutrients they require.
Psoas
The big core muscle that connects the lower (lumbar) back to the thigh bone (femur), or the tenderloin in a beef cow. It supports the low back.
Nutrition: water, Vit E, Vit A
Gluteals
You butt muscles. Connecting the pelvis to the thigh bone (femur) and the IT band they have a huge role to play supporting us and for standing, walking, running, jumping etc.
Nutrition: Vit E, Niacinamide (Vit B3)
Quadratus Lumborum
This is one of your main low back muscles, attaching the bottom rib, your lumbar (low back) vertebrae, and your pelvis.
Nutrition: Vit A, Vit C, Vit E
Hamstrings
These are the big group of muscles down the back of your thigh. They connect the ischial tuberosity (your sitting bone) to the fibula and tibia (the 2 bones in your lower leg). They flex (bend) your knee, and extend (straighten) your hip, and are essential for supporting your low back, hip, and knee.
Nutrition: Vit E, calcium
Quadriceps
The big muscles down the front of your thigh connecting the pelvis to the tibia (the main bone in your lower leg). This large group of muscles supports you hips, and particularly the knee.
Nutrition: Vit D, Vit B complex
Tensor fascia latae
Joining the iliac crest (the top part of your pelvis at the waist) to the greater trochanter (the bone you can feel on the outside of your hip) and also the IT band which runs down from there to your knee. Supporting the back, hip and knee.
Nutrition: Vit D, iron. In particular, a deficiency of iron causing this muscle to lack function, is one of the main reasons for back pain in pregnant women.
Cure sore muscles with nutrition
When you consider how these big, supporting muscles rely on specific nutrition it makes sense to consider this as one possible cause for your sore muscles.
A simple blood test from your Family doctor or Naturopathic Doctor can assess your levels of many nutrients. It is also possible to test for these and more using AK. My basic Allergy Test will assess these along with allergies, intolerances, emotional issues, structural imbalance and any infection / parasite.
Once a deficiency is identified dietary changes or nutritional supplements can be used to address the issue. I have had many clients who have experienced great relief from back, hip and knee pain, and from general achy, sore muscles once they start on a suitable program to address their deficiencies.
Vit A, Vit B, Vit C, Vit D, Vit E, calcium, iron and water mentioned above are just a start. There are other nutrients which have equal importance to other major muscles in your body.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing chronic pain or soreness, struggling to recover from an injury or just have tired muscles, assessing nutritional levels may be a simple way to cure sore muscles.
Book a free discovery session with me to find out more.