Have you ever felt muscle stiffness after an intense workout or a long day at work? Whether it’s a spasm, cramp, or tension, muscle pain can take a toll on your well-being. Fortunately, skeletal muscle relaxants are here to provide relief, but what exactly are they, and how do they provide relief from muscle pain? Let’s look at this detailed guide.

What Are Skeletal Muscle Relaxants?

Skeletal muscle relaxers are prescription medicines that can help in treating muscle-related symptoms such as spasticity and spasms. They are of different types, and each type works in different ways. It’s crucial to talk to your primary healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of these medicines [1].

History Of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

The oldest known use of muscle relaxant drugs was by the people of the Amazon Basin in South America. They used poisoned-tipped arrows that caused death by skeletal muscle paralysis. The European explorers documented it in the 16th century when they encountered it. This poison, known as curare, led to some of the earliest scientific studies in pharmacology. The active ingredient, tubocurarine, became an important substance for studying acetylcholine’s role in neuromuscular transmission. By 1943, neuromuscular blocking agents had become an integral part of surgical and anesthesia practices. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved various muscle relaxants subsequently, such as  – Carisoprodol in 1959, metaxalone in 1962, and cyclobenzaprine in 1977.

Now, various other types of skeletal muscle relaxants are available on the market, including tizanidine, orphenadrine, chlorzoxazone, and several benzodiazepines like baclofen and diazepam [2].

Types Of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are of two types, namely antispasmodics and antispastics. Both types of skeletal muscle relaxers are prescription-based.

Antispasmodics skeletal muscle relaxants –

This class of skeletal muscle relaxants is used to treat tightening or painful contractions of muscles (muscle spasms). Examples of antispasmodic skeletal muscle relaxants are Methocarbamol (Robaxin), Carisoprodol (Soma, Vanadom), Orphenadrine (Norflex), Cyclobenzaprine (Fexmid, Flexeril), and Metaxalone (Skelaxin, Metaxall).

Antispastics –

These are a class of muscle relaxants that are used to treat stiff or rigid muscles (muscle spasticity) [3]. Examples of some effective antispastics include Dantrolene (Dantrium) and Baclofen (Lioresal).

Uses Of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Both antispastic and antispasmodic muscle relaxers have different uses.

As mentioned above, antispastic muscle relaxers are used to treat spasticity that may occur due to conditions like brain or head injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Doctors prescribe antispasmodic skeletal muscle relaxants for relieving musculoskeletal and myofascial pain, especially muscle spasms and lower back pain.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants – Mechanism Of Action

Antispastics and antispasmodics, though both are aimed at relieving muscle-related discomfort, work in different ways.

Antispastics work on the spinal cord directly or skeletal muscles with the aim of relieving muscle tightness and spasms. They are usually prescribed for a short duration, but sometimes, they are prescribed for a prolonged duration based on the severity of the condition.

Antispasmodics are centrally acting muscles that alleviate pain by interrupting the transmission of pain signals from the nerves to the brain. Antispasmodics are generally approved for 2 to 3 weeks of use.

How To Use Muscle Relaxers Safely?

Muscle relaxers are available in different forms in which you can administer them, such as injections, tablets, capsules, and solutions.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you proper instructions on how to take the medication. Therefore, follow all the instructions and directions they provide [4].

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant Side Effects

Each type of muscle relaxer has different side effects. It’s crucial to speak to your provider about possible side effects of the specific muscle relaxer.

The most common side effects of skeletal muscle relaxants include – headaches, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness and fatigue, and dry mouth.

Skeletal muscle relaxers can also cause more serious side effects, including blurred vision and fainting.

Precautions And Warnings

• Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should discuss the potential risks of taking muscle relaxers with their healthcare provider.
• Take a skeletal muscle relaxer till the prescribed duration because long-term use can cause abuse and dependence.
• Avoid the intake of alcohol while taking muscle relaxers, as it can increase the sedative effects associated with its use.
• Inform your doctor of your medical history before taking any type of muscle relaxer.
• Do not stop taking muscle relaxers suddenly without informing your doctor because it can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
• Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you’re aware of how this drug affects you, as these medications can cause impaired coordination, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Natural Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Apart from medications, there are various natural alternatives to manage body pain and discomfort, such as [5] [6] –

Chamomile –

Chamomile is a herb that is used to treat various ailments, including muscle spasms. It consists of 36 flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. One can use chamomile by massaging chamomile essential oil onto affected muscles to provide relief from spasms. Chamomile tea can also be helpful in relaxing sore muscles.

Blueberry smoothies –

Another way to relax your muscles is by indulging in blueberries. A study published in 2012 suggests that having a glass of blueberry smoothie before and after exercise can help accelerate recovery from muscle damage. Blueberries have the power of antioxidants and have been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress [7].

Peppermint oil –

Peppermint oil not only has a refreshing taste and smell but also relieves pain when massaged into your muscles. This is due to the presence of menthol in peppermint, which has antispasmodic properties and creates a cooling sensation.

Vitamin D –

Vitamin D acts as a preventative supplement to cure muscle pain. This vitamin is crucial for bone health, and its deficiency can cause joint pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. To help, incorporate food items that are rich in vitamin D in your diet, such as egg yolks, salmon, and cereals.

Rest –

The most natural and best way to relax your muscles is to rest. Make sure to get a lot of rest, maintain proper hydration, and try not to overwork the affected muscle. For effective relief, one can use heat pads or ice packs on the affected muscle. Sometimes, muscle spasms are caused by over-stimulated muscles, and ice packs can help calm down the transmission of impulses from the brain to the overactive muscles.

Conclusion

Skeletal muscle relaxants play an important role in managing body pain and discomfort. Given their potential for interactions with other medications and side effects, it’s crucial to use skeletal muscle relaxants under the supervision of a doctor to ensure safe use.

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