Stretching cold muscles can cause injury. It's best to warm up a bit, if even just walking around for 5 minutes to get your blood going, before gently stretching. Flexibility is what helps prevent muscle injury.
If you're not exercising regularly, OR, if you've either just started exercising or you're getting back into an exercise routine, expect your muscles to be sore. After all, you're stressing them, and that's okay as long as you're not trying to push too hard. The more often you work out, the more your muscles will adapt.
You said:
"It happens when I try a new form of exercise, and I want to know if there is a way to prevent it, as it hinders my sleep!"
Well, the key to your soreness is that you've tried something new. That's okay, just incorporate a new routine slowly, and not too many at once. As you adapt, your muscles strengthen. Gentle stretches after your workout will help relax your muscles and keep them from tightening up.
If you're so sore that you can't relax after your workout, take an ice bath - really! It will reduce any swelling and promote muscle recovery and repair. Then, apply something like BioFreeze (available via your Chiropractor or physical/sports therapist) that will further promote muscle recovery.
The old saying used to be, "No pain, no gain," but that has proven to be questionable. You should feel a bit sore because you've challenged your body; you should not feel pain enough to lose sleep!
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Stretching cold muscles can cause injury. It's best to warm up a bit, if even just walking around for 5 minutes to get your blood going, before gently stretching. Flexibility is what helps prevent muscle injury.
If you're not exercising regularly, OR, if you've either just started exercising or you're getting back into an exercise routine, expect your muscles to be sore. After all, you're stressing them, and that's okay as long as you're not trying to push too hard. The more often you work out, the more your muscles will adapt.
You said:
Well, the key to your soreness is that you've tried something new. That's okay, just incorporate a new routine slowly, and not too many at once. As you adapt, your muscles strengthen. Gentle stretches after your workout will help relax your muscles and keep them from tightening up.
If you're so sore that you can't relax after your workout, take an ice bath - really! It will reduce any swelling and promote muscle recovery and repair. Then, apply something like BioFreeze (available via your Chiropractor or physical/sports therapist) that will further promote muscle recovery.
The old saying used to be, "No pain, no gain," but that has proven to be questionable. You should feel a bit sore because you've challenged your body; you should not feel pain enough to lose sleep!
September 3, 2008 - 4:21pmThis Comment
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