Treating sore muscles?

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Does anyone know a good liniment/lotion for treating stiff muscles. I'm sometimes use Ben Gay cream, and that helps, but I wondered what's out there with a more sports-minded (versus medicinal/ailment focus). Thanks!

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  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
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    I haven't heard of a cream that helps with this. Stretching, foam rolling.. those seem to help with stiffness. I have heard that taking a bath in epsom salt is good. DOMS suck but other than moving the muscles, making sure that you warm up and stretch them out before and after working them I don't think there is much you can do. Drink alot of water.
  • Iceprincessk25
    Iceprincessk25 Posts: 1,888 Member
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    Use a foam roller. The lotions are just a topical treatment. Using the foam roller will work out the muscles.

    Are you sore from working out? If so, then stay away from any NSAIDS. They will stop the proliferation of your muscle cells which is what you are working for.
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
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    Warm up and cool down properly. Stretch and foam roll. I also take hot epsom salt baths....there's no real science behind it, but I do it and like it lol (the bubbles and candle make a nice relaxing touch).

    I use Biofreeze (topical) and ibuprofen when I pull something or get a bad cramp. That's more injury related vs DOMs though....
  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 791 Member
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    I use icy hot if I'm still having problems after a week or so but I'm really good at injuring myself and I don't think some of these bruises are ever really gone.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
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    Wait - you mean you want to dull the pain that you earned by working out? Why?

    You EARNED that pain! That is good pain!

    Only "treat" actual injuries.
  • BaliRun
    BaliRun Posts: 114 Member
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    I'm on the same boat... I am so soar after my workouts i have to wait 2 days before I can walk again... Feeling frustrated!
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
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    BaliRun wrote: »
    I'm on the same boat... I am so soar after my workouts i have to wait 2 days before I can walk again... Feeling frustrated!

    Believe it or not, if you walk more you will hurt less. True story. I know you don't want to but the more you use the muscles that are sore the less they hurt. I find with leg DOMS that if I sit at my desk for long periods of time when I go to stand up it hurts like hell. But once I am up and moving, within minutes they feel much better.

  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
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    I reach for my foam roller and Biofreeze if I am more sore than usual. I even keep a massage stick at my desk at work.
  • determined_14
    determined_14 Posts: 258 Member
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    My issue is a bit of a cross between DOMS and injury: I have hip pain that my chiropractor tells me is caused by my butt muscle tightening... For some undiagnosed reason. He says stretching is good, and I do that, but sometimes the stiffness after a workout seems to aggravate the hip pain.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
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    My issue is a bit of a cross between DOMS and injury: I have hip pain that my chiropractor tells me is caused by my butt muscle tightening... For some undiagnosed reason. He says stretching is good, and I do that, but sometimes the stiffness after a workout seems to aggravate the hip pain.

    I think you should see a bone and joint doctor about this pain. Dont get me wrong, I love my Chiropractor but I believe a bone and joint specialist will be able to help you, and give you options that a Chiropractor cannot. Good luck to you.

  • Iceprincessk25
    Iceprincessk25 Posts: 1,888 Member
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    My issue is a bit of a cross between DOMS and injury: I have hip pain that my chiropractor tells me is caused by my butt muscle tightening... For some undiagnosed reason. He says stretching is good, and I do that, but sometimes the stiffness after a workout seems to aggravate the hip pain.

    I think you should see a bone and joint doctor about this pain. Dont get me wrong, I love my Chiropractor but I believe a bone and joint specialist will be able to help you, and give you options that a Chiropractor cannot. Good luck to you.

    Agreed.