“Eating healthy, such as incorporating fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet and relying less on pre-packaged food, allows the body to repair itself better by helping build new healthy tissues,” she says. “Tissues are continually being renewed. Sometimes what you remove from your diet is more important than what you add.”

Her other tips for reducing pain include avoiding artificial sweeteners, drinking water more frequently to increase hydration, eating every four hours to optimize the metabolism, and avoiding acidic foods, such as citrus, if arthritis is present since it may exacerbate symptoms.

In the event an injury does occur, Dr. Meyer recommends resting and minimizing physical activity, applying ice to the injured area, elevating the injured arm or leg, and treating pain by applying a topical like Boiron’s unscented Arnicare Gel. Arnicare Gel, which contains homeopathic Arnica montana, relieves muscle pain and stiffness, and reduces swelling and bruising.

“In conjunction with eating a good diet, participating in regular exercise, and taking the proper care after an injury, Arnicare Gel can be used to relieve pain in the muscles that have been strained,” says Dr. Meyer. “I recommend it to my patients to help them maintain their active lifestyles and to reduce pain, swelling and bruising when injuries do occur.”