With all the hard work to get into shape for the summer, you can start to feel stiff. The little niggles that once floated away are now taking their toll. It is not surprising, given how intense and powerful you have been working out. Still, it is not a nice feeling and one that you don’t need to suffer through. Be ready to rid yourself of those pesky aches and pains with these five tips.
Ice
The acronym RICE is a well-known recovery procedure. It stands for Rest Ice Compression and Elevation. Applying ice is one of the easiest and most basic techniques in the industry. Why? Because the cold dulls the pain and reduces any inflammation. Inflammation of the muscles and the joints is what makes your body ache after exercising.
Concentrated Heat
Just like the cold, extreme heat has healing properties too. Heat works in a different way by seeping into the muscles and blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain. It also makes the muscles more flexible and less rigid so they can stretch further. As a result, you will enjoy instant pain release. Heat has been used for years to treat the stresses and strains of sport and is one of the most basic techniques to manage your injury. This isn’t a good idea though, in the early days after actual injury.
Massage
The aches and pains associated with your sport are usually because your body is full of tension and knots. Once you relieve those knots, you will release the pain. It is that simple. The most conventional way to achieve that goal is with a massage. But, not just any massage, because sports massages are considered the best technique around. A sports massage expert will isolate the problems and use their years of experience to tackle the issues. General masseuses are good at their job, but they don’t deal with sports accidents and injuries like the pros.
Pain Relief
The right medication will do wonders for your body. They usually come in the form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS for short. The main examples of NSAIDS are Ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin. They work well because they reduce inflammation that occurs after exercise. NSAIDs come in various different power and strength, so there should be one for any ailment. If you are struggling with aches and pains, NSAIDs are one of the first lines of defense to consider. However, before taking any medication, ALWAYS check with your doctor first.
Analgesics
The more common names for analgesics are creams and lotions. These lotions have medical strength steroids in them that work its way into the muscles and makes them stronger. Others stimulate the nerve endings to distract the brain. Some also work by interfering with chemical transmissions in the body. All you need to do is rub the cream directly into the skin, where the pain is most prominent, and leave it to work its magic.
If you do start to feel sore after exercise, don’t suffer in silence. Try any of the above to relieve any stresses and strains.
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
