February 26, 2021
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Soreness vs Pain: How to Tell

Posted on May 4, 2016

We have all been sore after a workout, especially if we pushed our limits. Muscle soreness after a workout is healthy and normal, but how do you identify when discomfort has crossed over to pain from an injury?

Eugene physical therapyMuscle soreness is the result of small and safe amounts of damage to muscle fibers. It usually peaks 24-72 hours after activity, and you may feel tender, tight, and achy. Muscle soreness usually eases with gentle movement and stretching, and its generally best to focus on other exercises during this time to allow the sore muscles to recover.

Pain is more often sharp and located in muscles or joints during or after performing an exercise. If there is an injury, the pain may linger even after resting, and you may make the injury worse if you try to “push through.” As a general rule, you should get checked our by a medical professional if you experience extreme pain or pain that doesn’t resolve in 7-10 days.

The American Physical Therapy Association published a great chart helping distinguish between the good muscle soreness that signals you are getting stronger, and the bad muscle soreness that signals an injury needing rest and attention.

  Muscle Soreness Pain
Type of discomfort: Tender when touching muscles, tired or burning feeling while exercising, minimal dull, tight and achy feeling at rest Ache, sharp pain at rest or when exercising
Onset: During exercise or 24-72 hours after activity During exercise or within 24 hours of activity
Duration: 2-3 days May linger if not addressed
Location: Muscles Muscles or joints
Improves with: Stretching, following movement Ice, rest
Worsens with: Sitting still Continued activity
Appropriate action: Resume offending activity once soreness subsides Consult with medical professional if pain is extreme or lasts >1-2 weeks

If you aren’t sure, it may smart to get an exam with someone like Dr. Michael Herb, who specializes in sports medicine at Absolute Wellness Center in Eugene. If treatment is appropriate, our clinic offers chiropractic medicine, sports medicine, naturopathic medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, and massage. More information on sports injury care is available on our website, or you are welcome to give us a call at 541-484-5777.

Source: American Physical Therapy Association: Soreness versus Pain

Posted in Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine | Tagged Eugene physical therapy, Eugene Sports Injury

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Absolute Wellness Center
2286 Oakmont Way
Eugene, OR 97401

Ph.: 541-484-5777
Fax: 541-284-2704

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