One may suffer from muscle pain in their thighs as a result of many possible conditions, the least of which is simply muscle fatigue. More acute injuries are muscle ruptures or strains; the latter which can be easily treated, while the former may require surgery to be remedied. Muscle pain in one’s thighs tend to occur after intense physical activities that cause the thigh muscles to be overused, or in such a manner that leads to an injury. To identify the best treatment for muscle aches and pains in the thighs, it is imperative to first determine what is causing the pain, followed by having adequate rest so that the muscle tissues can fully heal.
Overuse
One experiences muscle fatigue when one’s muscles are overworked from physical activity. Muscles also often tighten up when they are exhausted, so having tight muscles can be a precursor to muscle aches in the thighs. Elongating the tight muscles through stretching both prior to and after any physical activity can be beneficial in alleviating some of the tightness and pain in the thighs. However, the best method to overcome fatigue is simply proper conditioning. Essentially, one needs to regularly stretch and exercise to develop the endurance and flexibility to reduce fatigue and prevent muscles from getting too tight.
Additionally, lactic acid build-up is another cause of soreness. Lactic acid is produced is a by-product of burned glycogen, the main source of the body’s energy when performing physical activities. Since lactic acid accumulates in the muscles, they will begin to experience soreness and tightness. Athletes and other highly active individuals may wish to train for endurance in order to build up their lactic acid resistance, as well as heighten their body’s performance capacity even when fatigued.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers that make up the muscle tissue start to rip apart when overburdened or overstretched. This separation of the muscle fibers can result in minor to severe pain that occurs without warning. When one suffers from a muscle strain, it is important to cease any physical activity, and perform the RICE treatment. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Following these steps will prevent bruising and swelling, which may result in unnecessary pain and prevent timely healing. Sufficient rest will be greatly beneficial in the recovery process, and failure to do so can easily cause re-injury or aggravation of the current injury. Non-prescription painkillers can often be enough to manage any pain, though in more acute cases, a doctor might prescribe a more potent painkiller along with some anti-inflammatory medication.
Muscle Rupture
Lastly, a very serious case of muscle injury is when the muscle is completely torn off from itself or a tendon, known as a muscle rupture. If this occurs on one’s thighs, it can easily cause a tremendous amount of pain. The torn muscle, no longer attached to its insertion points, can bunch up together at one end, resulting in swelling and bruising. This is not an injury that can be treated at home. Seek medical attention immediately, as a ruptured muscle will require to assistance of a surgical procedure to be fully fixed.
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