Something everyone has experienced when it comes to exercise is muscle soreness. Although it is often a by-product of exercise, it’s not desirable since it inhibits movement, decreases range of motion, and indicates inflammation in the body while it persists.
- Minimal amounts of soreness are acceptable and expected as you get into a new workout regimen, but chasing continuous soreness during or after workouts is promoting chronic inflammation.
- Much is still unknown about muscular soreness but it is thought to be caused by the small tears made from large increases in volume or intensity during eccentric, muscle lengthening, exercises.
Treatment for soreness
There is no prevention, cure, or treatment for soreness besides letting it run its course for a few days, but overall it is best to avoid soreness altogether.
Avoiding soreness
The best way to avoid soreness is to keep track of the work you’re doing each day, do the same exercises on a regular schedule often, and increase intensity and volume a little bit at a time. This method should keep progress moving forward but avoid soreness to the extent possible.