Getting sore muscles a day or two after an intensive workout or rigorous exercise is normal, especially if you are increasing your exercise intensity or starting on a new sport or exercise. The delayed muscle aches and muscle pain are caused by tiny injuries in the muscle fibre and connective tissue. The good news is that once your body gets accustomed to the new sport or exercise, you will experience little or no muscle soreness. The sore muscles that occur after a rigorous workout will usually subside after 24 to 48 hours of rest. But if the muscle aches do not go away after a few days of rest or even become more intense, it could be a sign that you have sustained a serious muscle injury. Experiencing severe muscle pain during a workout could also be a sign that you have a muscle strain or muscle injury. If muscle pain is accompanied by breathing difficulty, high fever, muscle weakness and stiff neck, see a doctor. If it’s an acute injury, or if one notices swelling of the muscle or joint area and it feels warm, wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and place it on the sore muscles for about 15 minutes.
Expert treatment Muscle pain often gets better within a few days. Once diagnosed, your doctor will devise a treatment plan—one that will hopefully give you the relief you deserve. Some of these symptoms, such as a very high fever or difficulty breathing, will require immediate medical attention. When to see your doctor Contact your doctor or seek care if: Your muscle soreness lasts for more than a week. Blood tests can be very useful in diagnosing certain causes of muscle pain. Gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts may help minimize muscle soreness. View All. The key is to avoid doing another intense workout using the same muscle groups on consecutive days. A muscle contusion bruise may occur as a result of a direct blow against the muscle—for example, from falling onto a hard surface or getting hit during a sports game.
What if muscle pain relief can
Movement can be the best way to help ease your back pain. Get yours today! However, exercise can cause sore muscles. National Neuroscience Institute. And even when taken in low doses, NSAIDs can increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attack, and stroke. Last Updated: May 8, Once diagnosed, your doctor will devise a treatment plan—one that will hopefully give you the relief you deserve. Arthritis Foundation.