The Role of Physiotherapy in Post-Workout Recovery

Athletes worldwide rely on physiotherapy to recover from injuries and maximize muscle function. This form of treatment is particularly effective for sports injurious, such as Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, tennis elbow, ligament tears, and frozen shoulder. Moreover, it relieves delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a condition that develops 48 to 72 hours post workout. Physical therapy can help you recover faster from trainer and get the most out of your gym time.

What Is DOMS?

Hundreds of studies confirm that physiotherapy relieves the pain and discomfort associated with DOMS. Touted as “nature’s tax on exercise,” this condition typically occurs after intense or unfamiliar exercise. It affects newbies and pro athletes alike, causing muscle pain and soreness. Most people experience these symptoms days after working out. Sometimes the pain is so severe that it’s mistaken for a muscle strain.

Delayed onset muscle soreness can affect your ability to work out and move freely. You may also experience fatigue, low energy, and general weakness. Flu-like symptoms are common too. This problem can be triggered by overtraining, eccentric contractions, or genetics. Dehydration and bad eating can increase the risk of DOMS. Even professional athletes develop this condition if they’re under stress or train harder than usual.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Most times, DOMS goes away within eight to 10 days. However, there are ways to speed up healing and shorten recovery time. Physiotherapy appears to be particularly effective for managing muscle soreness. Depending on the severity of pain, your therapist can recommend massages, acupressure, cryotherapy, ultrasound, trigger point dry needling, or electrical stimulation. Preventive training, foam rolling, and stretching can help too.

Physiotherapy not only relieves muscle pain and soreness, but also boosts sports performance by increasing joint flexibility and range of motion. Regular sessions can improve physical function, which allows you to work out harder for longer periods of time. Additionally, this therapy helps prevent injuries and reduce the wear and tear caused by exercise. Regardless of your fitness level, it maximizes your potential for success.