This is a sponsored post on behalf of Responsival. All thoughts are my own.

Do you suffer from muscle or joint pain? Millions of people will experience some type of muscle or joint pain in their lifetime. Whether you have a pesky old injury, are an athlete, or are just hard on your joints through everyday activities, muscle and joint pain can be, well... a pain! It can slow you down when it's an incredibly inconvenient time, and can even render you out of commission, depending on the severity of the pain. While some pain requires medical attention, there are things you can do at home to combat aching muscles and joints.

Heat

One of the best things you can do to relax sore muscles, is to use heat. Minimizing muscle use for a while is a good idea. Using gentle heat will help tight muscles loosen up. Heating pads are a great idea, especially if you can find an electric heating pad that helps maintain a low warm temperature over an extended period of time. Microwavable heating pads are great for kids and adults. One of my favorite heating pads for kids is Warmies, which is a heating pad and stuffed animal in one. My kids each have one of these, and I have even borrowed them and used them myself.

Rest

Overuse of aching joints and muscles may contribute to damage over time, resulting in needing serious medical attention, possibly surgery. When you feel like you have strained a muscle or have aching joints, rest is best. Pulled muscles can take up to a week to start feeling better. If pain persists, it's best to see your doctor.

Topical Relief

OTC muscle and joint pain relief cream can be your best friend if muscle and joint pain affects you regularly. As we age, it's easy for muscles and joints to hurt. Maybe you have an old injury that has led to arthritis in your joints, or your cartaelige has worn down over time. Perhaps you slept the wrong way, did some heavier than usual lifting, or pulled a muscle in your back when you bent down to pick something up. While it's not a fun experience, it does happen, especially as we get older. Muscle and joint relief cream can offer immediate relief. I keep some with me in my purse, as I experience knee pain on a regular basis. It's a good idea to find a cream you love, and keep it well stocked in your home. Don't forget to take it with you when you travel. Sitting in a car for a long time, and even general walking can aggrevate muscles and joints. It's best to be prepared.

Proper Support

If you know you're prone to muscle and joint pain, be smart about protecting your muscles and joints. Knees are a common spot for joint pain. Wearing supportive footwear, whether you're at home, at work, or working out, is so important! I wear Birkenstocks around my house because they offer a lot of support for my knees and my back. When I exercise, I wear a supportive sneaker brand, like Vionic. Therafit is an awesome shoe brand for dress shoes, developed by Dr. Lisa of The Doctors. I personally own all of these shoe brands and can't recommend them enough. I also wear a knee brace when I exercise, or when I know I will be doing a lot of walking.

Soak

While we already touched on how heat helps relieve sore muscles and joints, don't forget about taking a good old fashioned soak in the tub. Add a tablespoon of epsom salt to warm water, and soak that soreness away. 

All of these remedies have been recommended to me by my doctor for pain relief. I have lived with sore joints (knees) for over twenty years, and have seen my fair share of sore muscles due from motherhood (nursing babies, carrying kids, playing on the floor, etc.). These remedies are tried and true, and will really help you feel better if you're experiencing sore muscles or joints.

Which of these remedies have you tried for muscle and joint pain relief? Be sure to share what's worked best for you in the comments!