Why Do We Feel Sore After Exercise?

DOMS or, delayed onset muscle soreness is a common phenomenon that occurs anywhere between 24 and 72 hours after vigorous physical activity. The feeling can manifest in a variety of different ways. Stiffness, that jelly-like feeling, a dull burning sensation are all signals that the muscle tissue has been damaged to a certain extent and that your body is now in the recovery phase.

Do not worry! This process of repair is completely normal for all of us. Any time a muscle is contracted or ‘moves’ tiny microscopic tears in the fiber occur. The side effect of this is lactic acid – the bi-product of muscle contractions. This is a large contributor to that sore feeling you may be experiencing after a tough workout or a long day at work.

The soreness can be alleviated in a number of different ways. The more way you are able to incorporate into your daily lifestyle the better!

Don’t Stop Moving!

even though the following day may be a ‘rest day’ it is important to make sure you don’t spend the entire off day sitting on the couch. This allows that lactic acid to settle into the muscle tissues and makes it harder to flush out of your system. You might actually experience this soreness for a longer period of time if you fail to move enough. A simple walk or 15 minutes of stretching to promote some blood flow is always a good idea!

Get Enough Sleep! 

it is during this time when the body is able to repair itself the most efficiently. Try to get a solid 8 hours. Failure to get enough sleep can delay recovery and prevent those microtears from healing effectively.

Prioritize Recovery! 

taking care of your body should always be something you try to incorporate into your lifestyle. If you are sore from work, exercise, or both, it is essential to take the necessary steps to make sure your body is healing properly. Failure to dedicate enough time to this can lead to an increased risk of injury, development of chronic pain, and an overall decrease in quality of life.

How can SimpleTherapy Help?

SimpleTherapy is the perfect platform to help accelerate the recovery process. Our stretches and exercises help to keep the body moving without creating additional soreness. This is extremely beneficial in the recovery process as daily movement limits soreness and stiffness. The continued movement also brings a fresh blood supply to the area while flushing out toxins in the muscle fibers such as lactic acid. If you are sore from a long day of work or an intense bout of physical activity, try taking advantage of the SimpleTherapy platform