Reviewed by Physician Brandon Yew and Dr Angelica L Dumapit on October 25, 2022

Best Natural Alternatives To Muscle Relaxers

Published November 25, 2022| 7 min read

Millions of Americans take muscle relaxers to help with back pain or muscle spasms. However, these natural remedies work just as well without the serious side effects.

Are you one of the millions of Americans who use muscle relaxers to reduce pain? Research shows that around 6 million people visited their doctor for a new muscle relaxant prescription from 2005 to 2016. The number of office visits for continued drug therapy tripled from 8.5 million in 2005 to 24.7 million in 2016.

Using muscle relaxers in older adults can cause serious side effects, such as slowed or difficult breathing and death. Despite this, older adults accounted for 22.2 percent of all muscle relaxant office visits in 2016. Additionally, 67 percent of people who use muscle relaxers also use an opioid.

You don’t have to turn to prescription muscle relaxers if you’re suffering from pain. These natural remedies are non-habit forming and highly effective at treating pain.

What Are Muscle Relaxers?

Muscle relaxers may cause drowiness, headaches, and even difficulty breathing.

A muscle relaxer refers to a group of drugs or medications that treat muscle spasms and neck, back, and other musculoskeletal pain. They can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies or prescribed by a doctor.

There are two types: antispasmodics and antispastics.

Antispastics work by improving muscle tightness and spasms within the spinal cord and skeletal muscles.

Antispasmodics reduce muscle spasms in the central nervous system by inhibiting pain messages sent to the brain.

Potential dangers and side effects

Muscle relaxers can vary in terms of their chemical structure and how they work. Generally, they act as a central nervous system depressant, causing a sedative effect and preventing your nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.

They work immediately and their effects last for 4 to 6 hours before wearing off. Because of this, muscle relaxers can be very addicting and habit-forming. Prolonged use can increase tolerance and lead to physical dependence.

Additionally, many people use them with other drugs to produce feelings of euphoria or disassociation. They can be extremely dangerous for the elderly as they may lead to difficulty breathing. Muscle relaxers should never be taken with alcohol as it can lead to other dangerous and severe side effects.

Side effects may include:

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Irritability
Headache
Nervousness
Agitation
Dry mouth
Reduced blood pressure

How Does TCM View Muscle Relaxers?

We asked Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Physician Brandon Yew to explain why someone might need a muscle relaxer in the first place.

He stated that the following factors may contribute to the need for muscle relaxers:

Work stress
Poor work-life and rest balance

Insufficient and poor-quality rest and sleep
Prolonged physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
Poor emotional management
Unhealthy diet and poor eating habits
Bad lifestyle habits and choices like binge drinking and smoking

Work or exercise-related physical strain injuries

“These factors cause the formation and accumulation of pathogens like Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness and Phlegm within the meridians located along the affected muscles, obstructing the flow of qi and blood. The normal functioning of the muscles are affected, thus giving rise to aches and pains,” stated Physician Yew.

“The abovementioned factors can also cause the Deficiencies of the Spleen and Liver, both of which directly govern the health of the muscles and soft tissues, respectively. As a result, the muscles and soft tissues are unable to obtain proper nourishment, losing the ability to function normally,” Physician Yew continued.

Natural Alternatives To Muscle Relaxers

You can relieve pain naturally and avoid muscle relaxers by using herbal remedies and acupressure.

Herbal remedies

“Due to their warm and pungent nature, both turmeric and ginger are good for relieving muscle aches and pains induced by Wind, Cold and Dampness pathogens. As such, they should be used discreetly or even avoided in cases caused by Heat pathogens, and Deficiencies of the Spleen and Liver,” stated Physician Yew.

Here are some herbal formulas that may help:

Yi Yi Ren Tang: Dissipates and dispels the combination of Wind, Cold and Dampness pathogens from the muscles and soft tissues

Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang: Dissipates and dispels the combination of Wind, Dampness, Heat and blood clots from the meridians; regenerates blood to nourish the muscles and soft tissues
Si Ni Tang: Regenerates yang energy to warm the muscles and soft tissues, dispelling Cold from the meridians
Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang: Regenerates qi to move blood and dissipate blood clots from the muscles and soft tissues
Fu Ling Wan: Dispels Phlegm and Dampness from the muscles and soft tissues

Muscle relief plasters that contain herbal ingredients are also useful for reducing pain. American Wild Ginseng and Tian Qi capsules have also been shown to contain pain-relieving abilities. They work by reducing swelling and inflammation and promoting the flow of qi and blood circulation.

“Please always bear in mind that the herbal formulas provided above are meant for varying body constitutions corresponding to different underlying imbalances. As such, it is strongly advised to not purchase any of them to self-medicate without first consulting a certified TCM professional,” stated Physician Yew.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an easy self-help remedy you can do by placing your fingers or a blunt object like a massage stick at certain acupoints. Apply an appropriate amount of pressure to elicit a tolerable sensation of soreness or tenderness. At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motion 20 times each. Repeat for at least 3 minutes per acupoint.

Acupoints for head, neck, and shoulder pain

Baihui DU20: On the top of the head, along the midline of the human body.

Taiyang (EX-HN5): in the area of the temples, in the depression about one-finger width between the lateral end of the eyebrow and outer canthus area.

Fengchi (GB20): in the depression created between the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius muscles, at the connection of the occipital and nuchal areas.

Jianjing (GB21): located on the shoulder directly above the nipple, at the midpoint of the line connecting the acromion and the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra.

Bai Hui (DU20)
Tai Yang (EX-HN5)
Feng Chi (GB20)

Jian Jing (GB21)

Acupoints for upper limbs muscle pain

On the lateral side of the arm, superior to the insertion of deltoideus muscle.

On the lateral side of the mid-arm crease, at midpoint between biceps and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, 3-fingers breadth below the transverse cubital crease.

Located midpoint between the ulna and the radius, about 2 finger-widths above the crease of the wrist

On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones.

Located in the center of the palm of the hand, between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones.

Bi Nao (LI14)
Qu Chi (LI11)
Shou San Li (LI10)

Wai Guan (SJ5)
He Gu (LI4)
Lao Gong (PC8)

Acupoints for lower back and lower limbs muscle pain

When the knee is flexed, on the medial aspect of the thigh, the point is 3-fingers-breadth above the mediosuperior border of the patella, on the bulge of the medial portion of quadriceps femoris muscle.

Located on the back of the thigh in the depression between the hamstring muscle.

Located 4 finger widths above the medial epicondyle of the femur, between vastus medialis and sartorius.

Located in the middle of the crease of the knee.

This point is located on the shin, four fingers-breadth below the knee joint.

Near the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia.

Located below the outside of the knee, in a depression one inch anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 fingers breadth below the outer depression of the knee joint, two fingers-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia.

On the inner lower leg, 4-fingers-breadth above the tip of the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.

In depression midway between the tip of the medial malleolus and the attachment of the Achilles tendon, level with the tip of the medial malleolus.

On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the 1st metatarsal space.

Xue Hai (SP10)
Yin Men (BL37)
Yin Bao (LR9)

Wei Zhong (Bl40)
Zu San Li (ST36)
Yin Ling Quan (SP9)
Yang Ling Quan (GB34)
Feng Long (ST40)

San Yin Jiao (SP6)
Tai Xi (KI3)
Tai Chong (LR3)

Do take note that acupressure provides only temporary and mild symptomatic relief. For those suffering from persistent and greater muscle pain, acupuncture is strongly recommended as it provides a much robust and more comprehensive therapeutic efficacy in tackling the actual root pathology,” stated Physician Yew.