Massage has been found to play a critical role in reducing inflammation in the body. It also stimulates the mitochondria, the tiny cells that convert glucose into energy, and which are essential for cell function and repair. So not only does a light massage after exercise feel good, but it can also help to reduce pain from DOMS and aid your muscle recovery by easing inflammation, improving blood flow, and reducing muscle tightness and swelling. You can also massage many of your own muscles, such as when you are moisturizing after a shower, or even while showering – simply rub your calves, hamstrings, quads, biceps, and so on to help ease DOMS.
Delayed–onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is muscle pain that begins after you’ve worked out. It normally starts a day or two after a workout. You won’t feel DOMS during a workout. Pain felt during or immediately after a workout is a different kind of muscle soreness. Pain in places you never even felt before! Any increased intensity to your workout and exercise routine is liable to cause Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), which (although sometimes painful!) is nothing to be worried about as it is a natural reaction within your body. The good news is that your body gets used to increased activity quickly, so DOMS should not become something that always happens and should lessen over time. It’s that pain you feel 24-72 hours after a workout, which typically peaks around 48 hours post-workout and is a result of micro trauma to your muscles, and the accumulation of waste products as a result of exercise. This is totally normal!
- Stay hydrated. A lack of electrolytes contributes to muscle soreness so you need to make sure you are staying hydrated throughout your workout. …
- Get a Massage. …
- Increase Circulation. …
- Sleep. …
- Active Recovery.
- Wear compression garments, like compression tights, socks, and/or arm sleeves.
- Get a massage
- Use a foam roller to gently roll out and stretch your sore muscles (but avoid excessive stretching)
Beating DOMS
The ultimate goal of any training program is to find the optimal balance between work and recovery. So while you stay focussed and motivated on your fitness goals, make sure you keep your training safe and allow time to fully recover to really ensure you have the progress you desire by the end of the year.
PLUS
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is the pain and stiffness felt in muscles several hours to days after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise.
The soreness is felt most strongly 24 to 72 hours after the exercise.[1][2]:63 It is thought to be caused by eccentric (lengthening) exercise, which causes small-scale damage (microtrauma) to the muscle fibers. After such exercise, the muscle adapts rapidly to prevent muscle damage, and thereby soreness, if the exercise is repeated.[1][2]:76
Delayed onset muscle soreness is one symptom of exercise-induced muscle damage. The other is acute muscle soreness, which appears during and immediately after exercise.
The muscle soreness is caused by eccentric exercise, that is, exercise consisting of eccentric (lengthening) contractions of the muscle. Isometric (static) exercise causes much less soreness, and concentric (shortening) exercise causes none.
Muscle soreness that shows up 1 or 2 days after exercising can affect anyone, regardless of your fitness level.
But do not be put off. This type of muscle stiffness or achiness is normal, does not last long, and is actually a sign of your improving fitness.
Why do my muscles feel sore after exercising?
Sore muscles after physical activity, known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), can occur when you start a new exercise program, change your exercise routine, or increase the duration or intensity of your regular workout.
When muscles are required to work harder than they’re used to or in a different way, it’s believed to cause microscopic damage to the muscle fibers, resulting in muscle soreness or stiffness.
DOMS is often mistakenly believed to be caused by a build-up of lactic acid, but lactic acid is not involved in this process.
Who can DOMS affect?
Anyone can develop DOMS, even those who have been exercising for years, including elite athletes.
It can be alarming for people who are new to exercise and may affect their initial enthusiasm to get fit.
The good news is the soreness will decrease as your muscles get used to the new physical demands being placed upon them.
The soreness is part of an adaptation process that leads to greater stamina and strength as the muscles recover and build.
What type of activities can cause DOMS?
Any movement you’re not used to can cause DOMS. Taking up a new exercise, a harder than usual workout, or working your muscles in a different way can all cause DOMS.
How long does DOMS last?
DOMS typically lasts between 3 and 5 days. The pain, which can range from mild to severe, usually occurs 1 or 2 days after the exercise.
This sort of muscle pain should not be confused with any kind of pain you might experience during exercises, such as the acute, sudden, and sharp pain of an injury, such as muscle strains or sprains.
How can I treat DOMS?
There’s no one simple way to treat DOMS. Nothing is proven to be completely effective.
These things may help ease some of the symptoms:
- rest
- ice packs
- painkillers
- massage
DOMS does not generally require medical intervention. But you should seek medical advice if the pain becomes unbearable, you experience severe swelling, or your urine becomes dark.
How can I prevent DOMS?
One of the best ways to prevent DOMS is to start any new activity program gently and gradually. Allowing the muscle time to adapt to new movements should help minimize soreness.
There’s not much evidence that warming up will be effective in preventing DOMS. But exercising with warmed-up muscles will reduce your chance of injury and improve your performance.
While stretching has many benefits, there’s currently no evidence stretching before or after exercise helps reduce or prevent DOMS.
Can I continue exercising with DOMS?
You can exercise with DOMS, although it may feel uncomfortable to begin with. The soreness should go away once your muscles have warmed up. The soreness will most likely return after exercising once your muscles have cooled down.
If you find it hard to exercise, you could rest until the soreness goes away. Alternatively, you could focus on exercises targeting less affected muscles to allow the most affected muscle groups time to recover.
Will I keep getting DOMS?
DOMS is a type of muscle conditioning, which means your muscles are adapting to the new activity. The next time you perform the same activity or exercise at the same intensity, there’ll be less muscle tissue damage, less soreness, and a faster recovery.
more info at:
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/3/212/htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_onset_muscle_soreness
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12617692/
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the scope of practice, medical diagnosis, or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company, or specific massage therapy technique, modality, or approach. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.
