Soreness vs. Injury

By: Mike Staszak PT
One aspect of starting a workout regimen that people dread is the soreness that comes with it. The day after a workout can be tough for even the most dedicated gym-goers. It is important to recognize the difference between soreness and a sports-related injury. 

Soreness
Soreness is very common and naturally occurring caused by muscles stretching and being stressed during a workout. Typically, you will notice the first signs of soreness either the night of or the morning after your workout. With soreness you may have tenderness and stiffness in the muscles that you used at the gym. To treat soreness light activity and stretching that keeps you moving but doesn’t cause extra stress to the impacted muscle groups is recommended. Normal activity should not be restricted from this type of soreness. 


Injury
Unlike soreness, an injury will typically show itself as a sharp stabbing pain. If this occurs, it is time to see a Physical Therapist. Sometimes though, an injury is not as obvious and can disguise itself as common soreness. The difference between an injury and soreness is the length of recovery. Soreness should only last a few days and anything longer than that could potentially be a sign of underlying injury. If movement is hindered and and the soreness lasts longer than expected, it is time to make an appointment to let a professional determine what is causing your pain. 

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Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help in both treating an injury and preventing injuries from occurring in the first place. Before you begin a workout regime consult a physical therapist to determine what your body can handle and to learn proper techniques when working out. If an injury occurs a physical therapist can create an individualized workout plan to get you back to full strength and back in the gym. 

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For more information about the differences between soreness and injury and how physical therapy can help with these problems call us at 541-505-8180. At Staszak Physical Therapy & Wellness Center, our professional staff want to help you reach your full potential. We will focus on you and your individual situation to create a plan that will help you achieve your goals. 
 
 
About Mike Staszak
Michael Staszak has been an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist for the past 27 years. He is the owner of Staszak Physical Therapy & Wellness Center in Eugene. He and his staff believe that the more people understand how their bodies work and learn proper body mechanics, the less likely they are to become injured again. With this commitment to patient education, Michael provides wellness articles and presentations for businesses and community members.
 
Photos From Healthline, NBC News

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