Any suggestions to help stiff muscles?

[Hazel at the Hill]

I do feel a bit of a weed for even mentioning this when there are so many grapes in a much worse position than I am - so I hope that you don't mind me asking...

I managed to overdo the ol' exercise at the Hill at the weekend and am consequently stiff as a board still. Can't move my head very towards either shoulder without yelping. Can't do the vacuuming (so that's a plus!) but I wont be able to do even light raking at the weekend if things don't improve. I feel about 100 years old in the mobility stakes!

Although I know it will get better on it's own, any tips for speeding things up? I applied some deep heat on Sunday night which felt nice, but I read that this doesn't actually do any healing. And it did smell a lot, and it did send the cat crackers for some reason.

Mum suggested Ibuprofen creme - is that a better bet...?

[bobleponge]

Without getting too scientific Hazel, what has happened is the by product of all your exercise, lactic acid, has pooled in the major muscle groups that you used.
The way to ensure that you dont get stiff in the first place is to do a proper warm down after you finish. I know that sounds odd when its not very warm but make sure after you finish working, you do at least 20 minutes of gentle stretching, arms legs and torso.
In your case however, what I would recommend is that you have a hot bath, not lobster hot but pretty darned warm, and then do some very very light stretching initially. What you are trying to do is activate the blood to go through the muscles and take away the lactic that has built up.
If you dont know how to stretch properly PM me and I will send you some bits and bobs that I have on how to stretch.
In future its always a good idea to warm up a bit before you start as well, this lessens the sudden blood rush to the muscles, and warms them up gently so that you dont actually hurt anything as opposed to general stiffness that you have now.
I would of course advise the warm up and down to be done at home, so that the remainder of your lottie members dont think you are completely insane.

[piskieinboots]

and eat protein

[bubblewrap]

A nice soak in hot bath with a nice bottle of something or other I would have said deep heat too.

[zazen999]

Wow Bob - I'm impressed...'stiff muscle' finbar saunders moment and no hint of irony!

Anyway - I'd completely echo Bob's advice - except to add have/give yourself a warm massage with plenty of oil and go as deep as you can, then pop some ice on [I keep picnic ice packs in the freezer for after my sports massage every fortnight] as well as the hot bath and the stretching.

[Nicos]

Yup..there you go

.....and remember to have salt in yr diet if you got extra sweaty!

Hope you feel better soon! ( says she who ALWAYS works till fit for collapsing!)

[Nicos]

Oh- and do you have a man to massage you????..it'll distract you if nothing else works!!!!

[bobleponge]

I was being polite as Hazel is a lady.

[Hazel at the Hill]

How helpful, Doc LePonge - thank you!

I can remember how do the stretching thing (used to be the most enjoyable part of the aerobics class years ago!) - I wouldn't have thought to do it at the mo in case I damaged something (on the 'if it hurts don't do it' principle).

But any excuse for a nice warm bath, and I'll take it gently!

I would of course advise the warm up and down to be done at home, so that the remainder of your lottie members dont think you are completely insane.

Bit late.

[shirlthegirl43]

Welcome to my world - sadly that is the sort of pain I get with slight exertion (thank you ME/CFS).

Moving gently as much as you are able / is comfortable, will help dissipate the lactic acid build up. If you have the funds available, invest in a massage - I swear if I could afford that I would never hurt again (mind you Madmax is a most excellent masseuse)

Hope you ease up soon

[Hazel at the Hill]

and eat protein

Snorkers for tea tonight - does that count?

A nice soak in hot bath with a nice bottle of something or other I would have said deep heat too.

Now you're talking! JA wine, anyone...?

...then pop some ice on....

I was preferring the hot-bath-and-stretching....

.....and remember to have salt in yr diet if you got extra sweaty!

See snorkers for tea, above.

it'll distract you if nothing else works!!!!

I can see this stiff muscle thing has it's up sides!

I was being polite as Hazel is a lady.

*curtsey

Cheers grapes - helpful as ever.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Welcome to my world - sadly that is the sort of pain I get with slight exertion (thank you ME/CFS).

Moving gently as much as you are able / is comfortable, will help dissipate the lactic acid build up. If you have the funds available, invest in a massage - I swear if I could afford that I would never hurt again (mind you Madmax is a most excellent masseuse)

Hope you ease up soon

That's the reason that I hesitated in posting, Shirley.

I knew that lactic acid build up was the reason that your muscles ache when exercising - never knew that it hung about afterwards!

I've had sports massages before (used to have one a month, actually) but it was cold getting there in winter, cold in the studio thing then chilly getting home again (all right, this was winter!) so I gave them up. Felt nice though.

[Two_Sheds]

Rather than Deep Heat, try Olbas Oil (or the Boots own-brand) - it's lovely on sore muscles. Or Tiger Balm, same principle

[shirlthegirl43]

That's the reason that I hesitated in posting, Shirley.

I knew that lactic acid build up was the reason that your muscles ache when exercising - never knew that it hung about afterwards!

I've had sports massages before (used to have one a month, actually) but it was cold getting there in winter, cold in the studio thing then chilly getting home again (all right, this was winter!) so I gave them up. Felt nice though.

Oops, didn't mean to sound like a whinger!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Oops, didn't mean to sound like a whinger!

You didn't.

I didn't mean to sound like a lightweight - especially when I know that there are those for whom life can be hard work!