Strategies to Manage Sore Muscles and Joint Pain

Sore Muscles and Joint PainAnyone can experience sore muscles and joint pain. These conditions usually occur when you perform some strenuous activities that you don’t normally do, such as running instead of the usual jogging, increasing the length of your daily workout, or increasing the intensity level of your exercise. However, your body will usually get used to the more intense activity when it is repeated, as the muscles or connective tissues get strengthened. Joint pain can be caused by overuse or an injury. The good news is that there are effective strategies to manage those sore muscles and joint pain that occur due to stress.

  • If you find that you experience soreness after exercise, do warm ups before the work out session. Similarly, include stretching and cooling down in all your exercise sessions.
  • Natural foods that include antioxidant such as vitamin C are known to prevent sore muscles. So include them in your daily diet.
  • According to a WebMD report, a study of marines showed that having protein supplements improves sore muscles after intense exercise.
  • Starting off with lighter exercise and gradually building up is the right way to work out without any side effects. A physical therapist can guide you on how to exercise safely and how to maintain good posture to avoid getting injured or worsen joint pain.
  • It is important that you stay hydrated, particularly on days when you are active. Also, make it a habit to exercise regularly as it will help improve muscle tone.
  • If your work involves sitting at a desk for most of the time or in a setting that increases risk of muscle strain or tension, get up and stretch at least every hour.

If you find that these simple strategies do not ease your sore muscles, consult your doctor. This is important as factors other than overuse, such as osteoarthritis, could be responsible for your condition.