Prevent Muscle Soreness With These Tips
By Donna Stark
Maybe you just started a new fitness routine, or perhaps you trained unusually hard yesterday, but whatever the case, you are certainly feeling it this morning, aren't you? In fact, you are feeling it so much that you didn't even need an alarm clock because the pain was that good at waking you up. It kind of makes you want to skip the day ahead of you, which you can't, but it definitely makes you want to skip your next workout, which you seriously might. But hold up! Don't make that decision yet! What's important for everyone to know, is that there are ways to prevent muscle soreness. So bear through the pain today and plan for better days here on out!
Getting Rid of Muscles Soreness
Muscle soreness is enough to change one's mind about working out, but there are some ways to avoid it. Take a look at a few of the things a person can do to reduce the pain and possibly even prevent it from happening in the first place.
- Warm up and start slow - Warming up before your fitness routine is absolutely essential to get your muscles ready. Aim for at least five to 10 minutes and then gradually increase the intensity for the upcoming workout.
- Post-workout recovery - You certainly punished your body with that workout, but don't let the punishment continue by immediately going home and resting. Your body needs to break up the lactic acid buildup and the best way to do that is to move around with some light activity.
- Stretching and foam rolling - You don't need to be a professional athlete to know that stretching and foam rolling help to prevent sore muscles. Doing both before and after your workouts helps to relax and loosen the body's muscles and restore their flexibility.
- Massage - Massages don't just feel good, they do a body good as well! Muscle relaxation, pain reduction, stress relief ... it sometimes seems that they can solve pretty much anything, doesn't it? But seriously, getting a massage after exercise has been shown to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and shorten recovery time.
Don't Wake Up in Pain
Don't let the reality of exercise leave your body in shambles or force you to stop at your local drugstore for that tube of pain relief cream. Your workout is supposed to perfect your body, not demolish it! So take the necessary steps that will protect you from soreness and injury and wake up the next morning pain-free. You may need to start relying on your alarm clock again but it's better than what is waking you up now!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Prosper, Tex.