Tips To Relieve Muscle Soreness

Ibuprofen: Low-dose of Ibuprofen has specifically been shown to decrease muscle soreness—will help take the edge off of severe cases.

Light Stretching: When muscles are in recovery mode they tend to tighten up, exacerbating feelings of soreness. Light stretching will help relieve that tight feeling and diffuse the pain.

Light Massage: Massaging a sore muscle can help reduce tightness while promoting blood flow, which in turn helps speed recovery.

Warm Epson Salt Bath: As with massage, warm water will loosen up tight muscles and improve circulation. Better circulation means more oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood coming to the rescue of your aching muscles.Epsom salt is known to relieve pain, inflammation and muscle cramps, making it beneficial in treating sore muscles.

Hot/Cold Treatment: Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes, followed by a heat pack for another 15, and back again. Studies have shown alternating cold with hot to be highly effective in promoting both circulation and muscle recuperation.

After all, being sore is the body's signal to your brain that it needs a rest. Plus, you have to admit, there's something satisfying about the feeling you get from having to walk like a penguin for a couple of days after a kick-ass leg workout.