If you’re wondering how to navigate muscle soreness, you’re far from alone.

Meet the Experts

What Causes Muscle Soreness?

Muscle soreness triggered by exercise is also known as “delayed onset muscle soreness,“a.k.a.

woman using arms resistance band

Studio Firma / Stocksy

“It’s minor muscle fiber damage, but nothing serious.

“Muscle soreness occurs because of microtears that happen in the muscles from exercise,” she says.

“This microtrauma then cues the bodys inflammatory response.

In fact, the healing process after creating these microtears during exercise is what strengthens and builds muscle.

Benefits of Working Out While Sore

The most important thing is to listen to your body.

The bottom line is that your muscles need time to recover,” she adds.

If you exercise while sore, expect to perform at a lower caliber than usual.

However, he doesn’t think that should fully discourage you from exercise for the duration.

Soreness vs.

Wondering how to tell?

Here are the ways you could discern between the two.

“One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is doing too much too soon.

Additional choices for active recovery include massage conducted by a person, stretching, yoga, and swimming.

He also suggests BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), taurine, and fish oil.

Omega-3 fatty acids can minimize DOMS by reducing pro-inflammatory factors,” he explains.

Solan M. Building better muscle.

Cheung K, Hume P, Maxwell L.Delayed onset muscle soreness : treatment strategies and performance factors.

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