As muscle soreness is colloquially called that pain in the muscle, which can occur commonly especially after physical overload. Commonly known here are the muscle pain after sports or unaccustomed strenuous work.
What is muscle soreness?
As muscle soreness is colloquially called that pain in the muscle. Sore muscles are probably one of the most well-known symptoms of all. Almost every person has felt this type of muscle pain ready. Sore muscles occur particularly frequently after unaccustomed physical exertion. Thus, it often occurs after athletic stress, when the body was previously rather untrained. In this case, the muscle groups that were particularly unaccustomed to the strain are the ones that hurt the most. However, the muscle soreness itself does not occur during the strain, but only a few hours after the strain. In this case, the muscle soreness is linked to the so-called supercompensation, which is responsible for the increase in performance after a workout. The painful muscles are then very sensitive in their stretching and movement during a muscle soreness and can sometimes hurt so much that movement of these parts seems impossible. Furthermore, the performance of the affected muscles is then greatly reduced. Muscle soreness can last from several hours to a week. The term sore muscles was probably derived in the Middle Ages from catarrh, which means inflammation of the muscles. The muscle soreness itself is absolutely harmless, even if the pain can sometimes be very strong. However, a sore muscle should not be confused with muscle strains, muscle bruises and muscle tears, which in turn can not be harmless.
Causes
The causes of muscle soreness are almost always the same. If untrained muscles or muscles that are hardly used are subjected to a lot of strain, small tears and micro-injuries occur in the muscle fibers. The over-acidification of the muscles through the formation of lactate is correct, but has no influence on the formation of muscle soreness. The pain in the muscles is then caused by small water retention in the muscle tears, as the water causes the muscle fibers to swell. So, in principle, muscle soreness is nothing more than stretching pain. Especially if the training is exaggerated, i.e. the own forces are overstrained, it comes to the muscle soreness. Abrupt movement patterns also support muscle soreness. Very rarely, muscle soreness also occurs after cramps, which can also here the muscles unaccustomed overstrained.
Diseases with this symptom
- Thrombosis
- Epilepsy
Complications
Complications do not usually occur with muscle soreness. The pain goes away by itself in the course of a few days, insofar as the affected muscle groups are spared. However, if the weakened muscles continue to be overworked, serious injuries such as a torn muscle fiber may occur. In addition, muscle recovery is delayed and muscle soreness increases. If protein supplements are used during severe muscle soreness, there is also a small risk of kidney overload. Muscle soreness that persists for a longer period of time can lead to scarring of the muscle fibers, resulting in long-term weakening of the muscle. When treating sore muscles, inappropriate treatment methods are a risk factor at best. For example, massages can quickly overload the already weakened muscle and lead to an increase in muscle soreness. Pain-relieving medications can strain the cardiovascular system and, like dietary supplements, lead to kidney overload. Sudden muscle soreness may indicate an underlying condition elsewhere and requires prompt evaluation. Possible complications, depending on the underlying condition, may include intense pain, limited range of motion with the affected muscle, or, in the case of a severe muscle spasm, temporary muscle paralysis.
When should you see a doctor?
In most cases, it is not necessary to see a doctor for a sore muscle. For most people, sore muscles disappear on their own after only a few days, causing no further discomfort. A doctor may be consulted if the muscle soreness lasts for a long time and the pain becomes very severe. If the pain is severe, there is a risk of a serious injury sustained by the person during the performance of a sport.Such an injury should be treated by a medical professional. A doctor should also be consulted if the sore muscles restrict movement. If the person suffers from epilepsy or thrombosis, sore muscles may be a symptom of these diseases. In this case, an examination by a doctor is also necessary. The doctor does not need to be consulted if the muscle soreness occurs after the first performance of a particular sport or if the patient has not been physically active for a long time. In these cases, the muscle soreness is a common symptom and does not require treatment. Often, different muscle groups may be affected by the muscle soreness, which is also a common symptom.
Treatment and therapy
As harmless as a sore muscle is, the harder it is to treat a sore muscle. In principle, a sore muscle cannot be cured or treated quickly, because it disappears all by itself after 1-7 days. In addition, if the pain continues, a doctor should be consulted to rule out possible muscle injuries. However, sore muscles can be treated with home remedies or by oneself. Helpful are especially, hot baths with rosemary or spruce needle, sauna sessions, light and warm massages as well as protection and rest of the affected muscle areas. Another theory says to “train away” the sore muscles with a light workout on the second day. However, this theory is controversial in the medical community. Painkillers should not be taken if possible.
Outlook and prognosis
A sore muscle usually does not need to be treated by a doctor and in most cases will disappear on its own. Since it is caused by overuse of the muscles, the muscles should be rested when there is muscle soreness and should not be strained hard. Thus, the treatment takes the form of rest and recovery for the strained muscles. After a few days, the soreness should disappear. However, if the pain persists and does not subside on its own, a doctor should be consulted. In this case, it is possible that an injury to the muscles has already occurred during the physical activity and needs to be treated. Likewise, the muscles should not be subjected to additional exertion after soreness. Further exertion can cause inflammation and other injuries to the muscles. In case of greater pain, a doctor must be consulted in any case. As a rule, sore muscles are not so painful that painkillers have to be taken. Sometimes sore muscles occur as a side effect of a cold or the flu. This symptom is common and disappears as well with the infection.
Prevention
Sore muscles can be well prevented. Before training or unaccustomed heavy loads should be thoroughly warmed up. This warm-up includes, above all, warming up the muscles, ligaments and tendons. This can be done by light trotting or running. Furthermore, the movement sequences should be performed with light weights, which are then later trained under higher stress. Also the ligaments and tendons should be considered by this kind of warming up, because cold tendons and ligaments can possibly lead to strains or tears. Furthermore, massages and sauna sessions are recommended, as well as a diet rich in minerals and vitamins.
What you can do yourself
In the case of a sore muscle, various home remedies can provide relief. These include, for example, sparing, compresses, ointments and oils, heat, medicinal herbal tea and Schuessler salts. Directly after the sport it is sufficient at first to massage the overstrained muscles gently and to supply optimally with electrolytes and liquid. Ointments and wraps with oils and herbs can be applied to the muscles after a few hours and contribute to the rapid healing of muscle injuries. In addition, the muscles should be rested for a few days after exercise. Heat therapy includes such things as hot compresses with mustard flour and going to the sauna. Applying a cherry pit cushion or hot water bottle also usually takes away some of the pain and naturally relaxes the affected muscle areas. Rubbing ointments or oils into the painful areas is just as effective. Preparations with cayenne pepper, arnica, comfrey or St. John’s wort oil are effective for sore muscles. In addition, the body should be supplied with sufficient fluids and vitamins.On the one hand, this stimulates blood circulation, which often leads to an immediate reduction in symptoms. On the other hand, the inflammation can heal faster with an adequate supply of the essential nutrients and minerals.
