How to Ease Sore Muscles
By Sara Butler
When you're an active person, sore muscles are simply one of those things you can't avoid. Your best bet to fight against sore muscles is to figure out what you can do about them that actually works. Forget those crazy pickle juice remedies or ice baths, here are a few proven, simple strategies you can use to make getting out of bed after a hard workout a little bit easier.
Walk It Off
All those times your dad told you to walk it off, he may have been onto something. One of the best things you can do when your muscles are sore is to move them and walking is the perfect thing. When you walk, you work to keep blood flowing to the muscles and inflammation down. After you give yourself and your muscles a day of light exercise such as walking, you can do a lighter version of your regular workout.
Apply Heat
After you go for a walk to help with soreness, you can take a warm bath or shower or apply a heating pad to the sore area. This can help to naturally soothe the achiness of your muscles and help them relax, helping you to find relief.
Sleep It Off
When you've had a particularly tough workout then you need to prioritize sleep that night. That's because your body uses the time you're asleep to rest and rejuvenate, jump-starting the healing process and helping your muscles to repair. This can help reduce soreness the next day so perhaps you won't wake up and wonder who snuck into your room and beat you while you were sleeping.
Massage
You can be your own massage therapist to help reduce muscle soreness. Simply use your hands, a myofascial release ball, or a foam roller to focus on the sore spot and release the muscle. This can help to reduce soreness the next day and will feel pretty good in the process.
The Chiropractor
If you're really feeling sore, then see the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic. They can help to give you some stretches that may help and adjustments to remove any joint restrictions or dysfunctions you may have that could be making things worse.
Soreness isn't something you can always avoid but it is something you can make less painful. Try a few of these suggestions after your next tough workout and see how you do!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fontana, Calif.