Is it Pain or Muscle Soreness?

You’re in pain, but is it muscle recovery or is it more?

As we have shifted into a culture of making healthier choices the norm, I have seen more and more people getting up/out and moving.  Joining gyms, boxes, run clubs, yoga or dance studios are just some of the ways people have chosen to become more active and it is amazing!  As a PT, I’m always excited to hear about how people have invested in themselves and are taking responsibility for their own health.  However with this change,  there has also been an increase in injury or pain.  This does not mean you should stop doing what you’re doing, it’s never the exercises that are at fault.  But like all activities, your body has to be ready and primed for that activity and if it isn’t then problems can occur and pain can happen.  This does not mean you should not exercise, it simply means that once you do, recognize when you have pain and know that PAIN IS NEVER NORMAL. 

Sometimes this also means that we have to recognize and distinguish between pain and muscle soreness.  This is difficult for some people and especially those new to exercising.  Know this: muscle soreness usually gets better over the course of 2-3 days.  Muscle soreness may make every day tasks a little harder to do, but should never make you feel like you have to avoid them completely. Muscle soreness is almost never a tingling or numbness or shooting sensation.  These words are often used to describe pain.  If after 3 days, your body doesn’t feel back to normal, then it’s time to seek some professional advice.  If you’re in NJ, you can go and see a physical therapist right away, no prescription or referral needed.  At ElevatePTR, I am a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedics so this means I have the skill set to assess and diagnose orthopedic issues just as well as an orthopedic, with virtually no wait time!  So if you are having persistent pain, don’t hesitate to give me a call and set up a FREE consultation.