Stiffness And Soreness
No matter your age or how physically fit you are, everyone has experienced a sore or stiff feeling in their muscles and joints. This is common, and is often a superficial result of strain that the body is not used to. Whether you walked longer than normal, or had a particularly intense workout routine, feeling sore the next morning is nothing to worry about. We’ve all felt it, the morning after a long day at the gym can be painful. The affects are often felt most in the legs, such as calf pain, joint stiffness, and overall soreness.
What causes this feeling in our muscles, anyway? It’s simply a matter of science. When we exercise, the muscles release certain chemicals into the body. After we relax, the muscles continue to produce these chemicals for a considerable amount of time. With no circulation, it will sit in the body and create the stiff, sore feeling you get in the morning. And although we never feel like moving when we feel so much pain, the best, and quickest way to get rid of the feeling, is to get back on the horse. By becoming active again, we wash away the residual chemical and ease the feeling that comes along with it. It may be difficult at first, but it is the best way to rid your body of the feeling.
So, how do we prevent the stiffness to begin with? Any physical activity should be taken one step at a time. Don’t do too much, for too long, all in one day. If you are not used to prolonged strain, work your way into a more intense routine over time. Another preventative measure is stretching. Your exercise regimen should always include stretching, no matter if you’re playing a game of football, or setting out for a marathon. Stretching all the muscles in your body for several minutes before you begin your exercise is a great way to warm up the muscles, prevent stiffness, and also avoid sustaining and injuries. Same goes for after your physical exercise. Stretch after your routine to help prevent the sore feeling you will experience later.
The only time we need to worry about pains, is when they come without any obvious cause. If we experience calf pain without a day of exercise, and it persists for a long period of time, we should consult our doctor immediately. Rather than being a common result of some kind of strain, it could be the symptom for a more serious underlying condition.
