Could Ginger Provide Muscle Pain Relief?

In a recent study, scheduled to appear in the September issue of The Journal of Pain, University of Georgia researchers examined the use of ginger for reducing delayed onset muscle soreness.  The study compared the effects of a heated ginger supplement, a raw ginger supplement, and a placebo supplement on muscle pain.  Participants consumed the supplements for one week.  On the eight day they performed high intensity elbow exercises, designed to produce mild muscle injury.  Arm function, inflammation, pain and a biochemical involved in pain were assessed prior to and for three days after exercise.  Those that consumed the ginger supplements reported experiencing 25% less exercise induced pain than the placebo group.  In addition, there was no difference between the heated or raw ginger supplement. 

What does that mean for you?  Muscle pain in general is commonly associated with exercise as well as injury.  Although delayed muscle soreness in the past was associated with the build up of lactic acid, more recently it has been understood to be caused by inflammation secondary to micro trauma.  This study supports the use of ginger to help reduce pain associated with inflammation.  

This study on the use of ginger to reduce pain associated with inflammation is just the latest to evaluate its effect on inflammation and pain.  Previous studies have evaluated the benefit of ginger supplementation with reducing osteoarthritis symptoms and chronic low back pain.   As many anti-inflammatory medications come with various potential side effects, the use of ginger may be considered a potential option. 

Before you hit the gym for an intense work out, or if you are experiencing joint pain associated with inflammation, consider supplementing with ginger to reduce your muscle or joint pain symptoms.