Muscle Soreness after exercise
We all know that postural muscles get tired and that creates knots. But muscles also get tired after exercises, this is called DOMS – delayed onset muscle soreness.
DOMS is characterised by a dull, aching pain in the affected muscle, often combined with tenderness and stiffness. The pain is typically felt only when the muscle is stretched, contracted or put under pressure, but otherwise the muscle feels fine. The soreness usually increases in intensity in the first 24 hours after exercise. It peaks from 24 to 72 hours, then subsides and disappears up to seven days after exercise.
DOMS can be the reason why sporty people feel aches and pains when they are treated if they have recently been pushing themselves when exercising.
Unfortunately stretching or warming up the muscles does not prevent DOMS but gradually increasing the intensity of the exercise does.
If treatment is desired, any measure that increases blood flow to the muscle, such as hot baths, sauna or a massage may help.
Related Posts
Is deep pressure in a massage ever bad?
One of the first things you learn as a massage therapist is that everyone wants deep pressure in massage. This is because no one wants a light fluffy massage because they feel there will be no benefit and they have wasted both their time and money. The second thing you learn as a massage is that everyone has their own idea what deep pressure is and what would be light pressure for one person is deep pressure for another person. Even if you take one client, the pressure they consider deep on their tight shoulders will be different from their idea of deep pressure on their legs. So there is no fixed concept of what deep pressure is, it varies from client to client, and with the same client it varies treatment to treatment and depending up on the part of their body your are treating. Given all this how do we work out pressure in clinic. First, we base it on our experience, your body type, the tension in the muscle we are working on. But most of all we talk to you about how the pressure feels to you and respect your preferences for pressure. I am sure most of you have heard me talk about good pain. Its based on a phenomenon that I have seen in clinic over the years. This is where someone comes into clinic in pain, we apply pressure and the pain turns into a good pain – because the pressure is a source of relief. For some people this “good pain” just feels right. This good pain is strong but welcome and came sometimes be described as a “sweet ache”. For some clients the good pain, is such a welcome relief that pain doesn’t even seem the right word. A word of warning, I like all my other therapists are only human and sometimes we get it wrong. This can be if we have missed a trigger point that is very sensitive, and we go into deep or the opposite can happen where a muscle locks up and we apply pressure and you as the client can’t feel anything. These situations can also arise due to change with your body i.e. an intense gym session or longer work hours than usual so lots of extra time sitting at your desk. I try to ask all my clients regularly without sounding like its some automated message, do you want the pressure deeper or lighter and if so let me know. I know the other therapists in clinic do this as well. In clinic we always want you to get the most out of your treatment. So please remember we always welcome feedback on pressure throughout your treatment.
Myofascia – part 2
Last week I explained what myofascia is and how it can become restricted from, for example, poor posture. How to identify Myofascial Restrictions? It is important to acknowledge that it is difficult to diagnose myofascial restrictions as they do not show up on standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography etc). Massage therapists utilise their palpation skills to find myofascial restrictions. For example fascial drag, this is a very light press & slow technique to allow the therapist to feel the restrictions in the fascia. Who treats Myofascial Restrictions?
- Myofascial Release – Originated in the 1940’s. It is a specialised physical and manual therapy used for the effective treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue and fascial tension and restrictions. John Barns a physical therapist based in the US is one of today’s leading lights in the world of myofascial release.
- Rolfing – Dr Ida Rolf, started working with client in the 1930’s and by the 1950’s was teaching her work under the name of Rolfing . A physical therapy which aims to release stress patterns from the body. It is normally to require a series of treatment often up to 10.
- Massage – massage therapists utilise direct and indirect technique to address Myofascial restrictions.
Difference Between Sports and Deep Tissue Massage
- Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder massage is a short focused massage to release tension in the Neck & Shoulders
- Choose Sports massage over deep tissue massage when you go to the gym with a specific sporting goal in mind, i.e. you are going for more than just generally keeping fit. Or you are really focused on your sport including actively taking part in competitions or you are keen to improve your performance or your training is solely focused on your sport and you do not cross train.
Sports Massage Deep Tissue Massage Incorporates Deep Pressure Yes Yes Similar massage stokes Yes Yes Releases muscle tension, pain, physical stress and stiffness while restoring flexibility Yes Yes Able to resolve common injuries and woes for inactive, desk bound people Yes Yes Incorporates a custom blend of oils and hot stones to relieve tension and anxiety No Yes Athlete orientated including - Focus on improving athletic performance - Incorporates stretching - Assessing injury risk - Rehabilitation after injury Yes No Knowledge of sport - Able to deliver specific pre-exercise treatment for any given sport - Able to deliver specific post-exercise treatment for any given sport - Able to deliver specific treatment during intense training for any given sport Yes No
