So how do we manage that post-exercise pain—often referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—in order to keeping fighting the good fight?It seems like just about everyone is ramping up their workouts these days to get their bodies ready for the summer. So how do we manage that post-exercise pain—often referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—in order to keeping fighting the good fight? The Washington Post enlisted the help of Victor Ibrahim, a team physician for D.C. United, to answer that question, and we’ve extrapolated his most helpful tips:Keep moving. One study says that exercise is the most effective means to alleviate pain during DOMS, which appears between 24 and 72 hours after exercise.
Rub it out. Swedish massage — which uses five styles of strokes — is the most effective type of massage for DOMS because it is especially beneficial for improving blood circulation.
Heat it up. A hot shower or hot tub does the trick for most of his athletes, Ibrahim said.” But he cautions to always make sure you are well hydrated before hitting a hot tub post-exercise.
Feed your stomach. Consuming protein with carbohydrates soon after completing a workout will accelerate the healing of damaged muscle fibers and the dissipation of soreness. He adds that caffeine is also helpful.
ForMen takeaway: Post-workout soreness and aches are not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it usually means that you’re making progress and your muscles are getting stronger. But now you have some easy (and enjoyable) ways to combat the pain if you so choose.
Relevant source:
Curated from the Washington Post
