Ever find yourself fighting all sorts of aches and body pains after an intense workout? You will be thrilled to know that you are not alone.
The continuous stiffness you feel is perfectly natural, and usually occurs after a long hiatus from your local gym or exercise group, as well as occasions where you simply elevated your routine by taking the intensity of the session to the next level. The correct term for this is referred to as the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.
“Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) differs from pain felt during or immediately after a workout, which is called acute muscle soreness. Acute muscle soreness is a burning sensation in a muscle during a workout due to a buildup of metabolites during intense exercise. It usually disappears as soon as or shortly after you stop exercising,” reiterates the health and wellness publication Healthline.
The above-mentioned source further states that some of the symptoms include tight muscles and tenderness, while the period of this discomfort may vary but spans between 2 – 5 days.
Fortunately, there are simple exercises and stretches you can incorporate into your daily activities that might help relieve the tension by allowing you to move more freely.
Here are some useful recommendations:
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and support muscle recovery.
- Massage: Gentle massages can help improve circulation and reduce muscle stiffness and soreness.
- Foam Rolling: Use a foam roller to target specific muscle groups and relieve tension.
- Rest: “Sleep is a really powerful tool for preventing DOMS and for muscle building, and is also key for a wellness lifestyle. Muscle-building chemicals such as Human Growth Hormone are naturally produced by your body in the deep stages of sleep. Aim for a minimum of 7 hours sleep to really help your body to recover from exercising,” explains Technogym.
Also see: Effective exercise techniques to get rid of a humpback
