If you've ever pushed yourself in a workout only to wake up the next day feeling stiff and sore, you've likely experienced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). This deep, lingering discomfort typically sets in 24 to 72 hours after intense exercise and can make even the simplest movements feel like a challenge. But what exactly causes this soreness, and how can you speed up your recovery? Let’s break it down.
What Causes Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)?
DOMS occurs due to microscopic tears in your muscle fibers, which happen when your muscles are stressed beyond their usual capacity. This is especially common during exercises that involve eccentric movements (lengthening of the muscle under tension), such as downhill running, lowering weights, or deep squats.
As your body repairs these tiny muscle tears, inflammation occurs, triggering pain and stiffness. While this process is a natural part of muscle growth and adaptation, it can leave you feeling sore for days—especially if you’re new to a workout or pushing past your usual limits.
How to Alleviate Muscle Soreness Faster
While there’s no instant cure for DOMS, there are several ways to reduce its intensity and recover more efficiently:
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Active Recovery – Gentle movement, like walking, yoga, or light stretching, helps increase blood flow to sore muscles, which can speed up healing.
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Hydration & Nutrition – Drinking enough water and consuming protein-rich meals with anti-inflammatory foods (such as berries and leafy greens) can aid muscle repair.
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Massage & Foam Rolling – Self-massage and foam rolling can help loosen tight muscles and enhance circulation.
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Cold and Heat Therapy – Alternating between ice packs and warm baths can help reduce inflammation and improve mobility.
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SKINS Compression Wear – Compression garments, like SKINS Compression tights and tops, play a crucial role in accelerating muscle recovery by improving blood circulation, increasing oxygen delivery to muscles, and reducing inflammation.
How SKINS Compression Helps with DOMS
Wearing SKINS Compression gear post-workout provides gentle pressure on your muscles, which encourages better blood flow and helps flush out metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid. This means your muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need more quickly, reducing swelling and soreness. Plus, the enhanced support from compression garments minimizes muscle vibrations, decreasing overall fatigue and making recovery smoother.
Keep Moving Forward
While DOMS is a sign that your muscles are adapting and getting stronger, prolonged soreness shouldn’t derail your fitness goals. By incorporating recovery strategies like hydration, stretching, and wearing SKINS Compression gear, you can bounce back faster and stay on track with your training.
So next time you feel the burn after an intense session, remember—it’s part of the process, and SKINS Compression is here to help you recover smarter.
