Ways To Prevent & Soothe Sore Workout Muscles
We all seem to be able to handle our regular workouts without too much pain. But if we skip a few days or try too many new things, sore muscles often show up quickly and demand immediate attention. Sometimes you may feel this coming as you are exercising and really wish you had all of the answers.
I have had days after exercising that left me moving very slowly and wishing I had never exercised at all. But I have found a hot shower right after exercising does help some to reduce next day soreness.
So, the question really seems to be what works best to prevent and soothe sore muscles?
Ways to Head Off Sore Muscles
Recently I read solutions from Running Competitor.com and they suggested using sports drinks during longer runs. They also suggest eating protein before a run and eating protein after a run. And they recommended maintaining a healthy diet to build strong muscles and ensure endurance. This approach to muscle soreness could be another way for all of us to head off muscle soreness.
What To Do When Sore Muscles Show Up
If we are fortunate prevention will do the trick and we won’t have a lot of soreness. But if it does not completely solve the problem there are other answers out there.
Prevention.com spotlighted new studies recently at Indiana University. One uses fish oil. Their study showed taking fish oil before exercise tended to reduce muscle soreness afterwards. Many people take fish oil on a regular basis to lower inflammation in the body and protect from heart disease. If you do, you might check correct dosages with your physician if you decide to also use it for muscle soreness.
The researchers also suggest drinking tart cherry juice to reduce pain and cut inflammation in sore muscles. An aunt of mine was having extreme pain from gout and her doctor also recommended regular use of tart cherry juice. She was skeptical but followed the routine, and found her gout reduced fairly quickly. She is now using tart cherry juice in her diet on an ongoing basis.
Keeping exercise pain free on ongoing basis may continue to be tricky, but using a healthy diet and some good follow up could help blend new exercises into regular workouts while avoiding most of the muscle soreness.
As always see your doctor before starting a new exercise program, and be sure to check out pain that does not go away to spot any muscle injuries.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Steven Depolo