How do I treat sore muscles after working out?!
Question:
How do I treat sore muscles after working out?
On Wednesday, I worked out for the first time in a couple months. I didn't stretch very well afterwards because I was in a hurry. Yesterday I was pretty sore as expected, but this morning the muscles around my elbows are killing me. I can't even extend my arms all the way out.
First of all, how do I know if it's just sore or if I actually hurt myself?
Second, what is a good way to deal with this? Do I try stretching a bit now, or will that hurt it more? Will pain killers help until my muscles heal?
Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Make sure you stretch after the gym, then have a hot bath.
If you are working to build or tone muscle, it will hurt a little, and with me it usually is sore the next day, worse the day after then starts getting better again.
Do NOT take painkillers while working out, your body gives you pain so you don't do it again - is the very short theory behind it!!
Take a couple of painkillers now if it is that painful, go home and have a hot bath and stretch. Obviously it won't be to when you can normally do so don't try too hard ... just keep doing stretches on the tight muscles now until you can stretch to where is normal.