You just got done with another amazing hike only to feel the aches and pains settle in the muscles you worked out the most. Even though it’s a great feeling that you worked out and your body is feeling great, having sore muscles can quickly take away those feelings of accomplishment. Sore muscles are never comfortable and even though they’re worth it knowing you pushed yourself hard to achieve results, the pain still isn’t fun.
Luckily there are a few things you can do to quickly ease sore muscles and get you ready to tackle yet another peak the following day. You may not feel like trying the below methods when you’re feeling sore already, but trying one or two of the following tips should help ease your pain and repair the appropriate muscle group. By repairing sore muscles you’ll be ready to workout stronger the next time and feel a lot better.
Apply some heat and feel relief
A nice soak in the tub with nice hot water always does wonders for sore muscles. The same goes for a sauna or steam room. The reason why muscles feel better is that is by applying heat to sore muscles it reduces the pain by increasing blood flow to them. Muscles that are suffering can heal more quickly and the pain should lessen.
Heated neck pillows
In the same way a nice warm bath helps relax muscles, so can a neck pillow that provides hot or cold therapy that can help you feel better. Pain relief is important when you want to get up the next day and have another successful workout. Microwavable heating pads that are used for neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain and more can relieve the pain and help your muscles recover quickly.
An ice bath helps reduce swelling
Just like a warm bath can help ease muscle pain, so can an ice bath! Sure it’s not as comfortable, but if you’re working out really hard or training for a marathon, for example, the cold temps from an ice bath will constrict blood vessels, which will reduce swelling. Afterward your body will hopefully warm up and if it does this will improve circulation and help your muscles repair themselves. If ice baths aren’t your thing you may also want to consider icing certain areas, especially if you feel like you’ve injured a specific muscle group and it needs to be treated.
Stretching eases post-workout pain
After a great workout, don’t forget to stretch. Stretching lengthens muscles fibers and can also ease the pain caused by a workout. If you’re really working out hard, stretching may not relieve all of your pain, but at least it can help you become more flexible and your muscles healthier.
Get a massage
Massages can be expensive, but they certainly feel wonderful! Whether you have a massage therapist you can go to or a foam roller or tennis ball, find something you can use that’ll help get rid of those knots and ease your pain. If there’s a massage therapist in the family, you may want to try and con them into giving you a massage!
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