3 Incredible Ways to Soothe Sore Muscles
By Genevieve Cunningham
The worst part of working out is the sore muscles that often follow it. It’s hard to get out of bed, hard to walk, hard to breathe sometimes. Even though we know that our bodies are getting an incredible workout, that soreness is tough to live with. If you’re a fitness fanatic that is sick of dealing with post workout muscle soreness, check out these three great ways to resolve the soreness and get back in the gym.
Roll It Out
If you don’t already own a foam roller, you need to get one now! This object looks like a long cylinder made of a foam material. It’s hard, so as not to bend, but will have the consistency of regular foam, though very compact. You’ll simply place it under a sore muscle, and roll your body back and forth. So if your hamstrings are sore, you’ll place it on the floor, sit with your hams over the top of the roller, and push your body back and forth so that it literally rolls underneath you. You can also take to doing this before your workout in order to improve your range of motion and reduce soreness before it even happens.
Get in a Hot Tub
Warmth is really great for sore muscles. Instead of lying still with a heating pad (which is also great!), go ahead and attack all muscles at once by relaxing in a hot bath. Fill up the tub, add epsom salt if you want, and get in and soak. It might take a while, so taking a book or tablet or phone may be a good idea. But with some time and patience, the warmth can alleviate the soreness and leave you feeling better than ever.
Do Some Yoga
If you’re sore fairly often, it can be a good idea to add yoga to your normal routine. Yoga involves some very deep stretching, which then reduces soreness and tightness, and improves your flexibility and range of motion. Stretch before and after your workout, and add yoga whenever you can.
Soreness in the muscles can put a serious damper on your workouts and your life. While you may not be able to eliminate all soreness for the rest of your life, you can take steps to minimize the discomfort. Use these tips to protect your body and keep the soreness far away.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.