Remedial Massage Treatment For Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Remedial Massage For Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS is experienced as pain and/or stiffness in muscles. It can occur anywhere from a few hours to a few days after activity / exercise, particularly if you have increased the level of activity from your usual schedule. The muscle pain is often first experienced 24 to 72 hours after the exercise but can vary slightly.

What Causes Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

When muscles are loaded more than usual, or in new ways, they can incur microscopic tears in to their fibres, as a results inflammation builds up and can cause muscle soreness and/or stiffness. DOMS was originally believed to be caused by a lactic acid build up, recent research shows that lactic acid is not a factor in DOMS.

How Can I Manage Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness DOMS? | Remedial Massage For DOMS

Remedial massage is a great way to manage the pain from DOMS and it can also reduce the length and severity of the symptoms. Remedial massage is effective at relaxing muscles and it increases circulation which disperses built up inflammation. Some studies have shown that DOMS was significantly less for individuals in the remedial massage group as apposed to other treatment methods. Massage was also shown to have significant effects on patients for 1-4 days post exercise.

How to Prevent Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness | Remedial Massage For DOMS

It is possible to minimise the chance of DOMS occurring. Here are some suggestions:

* Drink plenty of water
* Increase your sets, reps and weights by no more than 10% per week
* Cooling down at the end of a workout
* Slowly increase your activity time
* Have remedial massage within a day of any large increases in activity

Have I Caused Long Term Damage?

If the symptoms you are experiencing are DOMS then they should subside over a few days and there has been no lasting damage. If the symptoms continue after 4-5 days it’s a good idea to consult a remedial massage therapist and have the issue assessed.

If you would like to booking in to see one of our remedial massage therapists give us a call on 03 9645 9923.

Melbourne Natural Therapies
Remedial Massage Melbourne