Aching and sore muscles are inevitable. Anytime you expose your body to unexpected levels of exercise--whether you are starting an exercise program, intensifying a current one or simply moving furniture--you are placing strain on the muscles that will lead to damage. Often this is in the form of microscopic tears in your muscle fibers, which manifest themselves as general soreness in the days following exercise. The worse these tears are, the more intense the pain. Muscle aches may indicate more serious types of muscle injuries.
Aches vs. Soreness
Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish legitimate muscle pain from routine soreness. Sore muscles are inevitable anytime you increase your exercise workload, but pain in the muscles could indicate more serious problems that require a different approach. Soreness is typically characterized by some muscle stiffness, slight burning and slightly reduced function of the muscle. Aches that may indicate pain often feature sharper pain, reduced muscle function to a greater degree, and more swelling and inflammation.
Rest
Rest is the best remedy for both soreness and aches. Most aching in the muscles results from minor muscle strains. These often heal on their own and require only time to rest, away from the stresses of exercise. Within a few days, both soreness and aching should subside considerably, if not disappear altogether. A good rule of thumb is that the more pain you are experiencing, the greater the muscle damage and the longer your muscles will need to fully heal.
Ice and Elevation
Icing can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the muscle. In serious aches caused by strains, it can also serve as a pain reducer. Along with icing, it is recommended that you elevate your sore or aching muscles to prevent excessive swelling in the location. This will keep the muscle from stiffening and ultimately allow you to heal and return to normal activity levels faster.
Exercising Through Pain
Although muscle strains should not be treated with any considerable amount of exercise, general soreness is often fought through in the days following its development. Soreness has a low risk of worsening when the muscle is not pushed to its limits, making it easier for you to continue a workout regimen while sore. Exercise will also keep the muscle loose and limber and increase blood flow to the muscle, helping encourage the muscle's healing.
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