Is DMSO Helpful for Soft Tissue Injuries?
If you have ever pulled a muscle, strained a ligament, or dealt with lingering shoulder pain, you have probably searched for something that offers fast relief. DMSO is one of those remedies that keeps coming up in online forums and word-of-mouth conversations among athletes and weekend warriors alike. But does it actually work, and is it safe to use on your own? Here is what you need to know about DMSO for pain , how people use it for sports injuries, and where physical therapy fits into the bigger picture of healing soft tissue. What Is DMSO? DMSO, short for dimethyl sulfoxide, is a chemical compound that was originally studied as an industrial solvent. Over time, researchers noticed it had the unusual ability to pass through skin easily, which led to interest in using it as a way to carry other compounds, or on its own, for pain relief and inflammation. Today, DMSO is sold as a liquid or gel and applied topically. Some people use it directly on sore joints and muscles, hoping it will...