So, out of the abundant goodness of my heart, I helped a work-associate move large amounts of heavy rocks this Saturday.
Now, I’m not exactly in the best of shape, so this was a strenuous endeavor. The sunburn is unpleasant, but the muscle pain is worse.
It hurts to touch things. My arms feel half-dead. So my question is - best ways to speed recovery?
I’m rather attached to my arms (ba-DUM-bum), and I’d appreciate any helping hands. (ba-DUM-bum-deux).
Sorry to any fellow MSTies I lured in with the ‘Deep Hurting’ tag… I’ve just never felt a sensation more appropriately worthy of the description, except when watching Manos, or something.
Also not being in the greatest shape and having found myself agreed to hike between 6 & 8 mioles with a pack of 12 year olds on Saturday, I feel your pain (Sorry, couldn’t help it).
Ice, my friend is your answer. Alternate with heat (a good, long soak in a bath or hot shower is divine). Along with ibuprofen, preferably washed down with hard liquor. (Just kidding, save the liquor for later.)
This might sound counterproductive, but I find that if I am sore because of an unusual activity it helps to stretch and work the muscles that hurt in the same way you worked them the first time, but more gently. I found this out when I went tubing one summer behind a friend’s boat and my arms and shoulders hurt the next day, to the point I had trouble shifting gears in my car. I had continued trouble until that afternoon I went tubing again (slower and less intensive this time) and felt much better. In general I think it helps to keep the muscles moving.
Tried one tab of ibuprofen this morning… didn’t seem to do much. I’ll try with two this evening… and I’d love to alternate ice and hot… but no heating pad, and the sunburn makes decently hot water painful.
DaisyFace : A pack of twelve year olds? That must be hell on your back. I couldn’t carry more than one or two. (ba-DUM-bum)
Velma’s right on. That sort of thing is known as active recovery, and is damn near essential if you’re sore to the point that you don’t have to move to notice it.
Thanks to the advice-giving folks. Warm water, once the sunburn permitted it, seemed to help quite a bit… and the pain has faded on it’s own. Right arm at 95% operational capacity… left… ehh, about 80%.
I also recommend going to the local supermarket and picking up some Icyhot or Tigerbalm, if you can find it. After you apply it, don’t plan on going anywhere for an hour or two, though.
It does take the edge off the pain wonderfully, I’ve found.