Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Causes & Treatment

Delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle cramps are treatable and recoverable. To recover, the care you get must target the root cause of soreness and cramps. The first step towards recovery is a complete assessment that identifies the problematic area and its cause; we can help.

A significant reduction in muscle strength and power has been observed during delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS, especially during eccentric activity. These reductions usually present 24-48 hours following DOMS-induced exercises. Strength reductions in concentric and isometric muscle actions are not as significant as eccentric exercises. Concentric and isometric muscle strengths typically take about four days to recover from muscle cramps, while eccentric muscle strength may take up to 8-10 days to recover to initial baseline levels. These muscle strength reductions will cause muscle imbalance between agonist and antagonist muscle groups. There will be an increased risk of injury in an athlete due to altered strength in these two muscle groups.

Muscle Injury A Main Cause Of Sorrness & Muscle Cramps

Muscle or connective tissue injuries during eccentric exercises may result in altered recruitment patterns or temporal sequencing of muscle activation patterns. These unusual muscle recruitment patterns during a set of movements are known as muscle dysfunction. Muscle coordination and joint motion are affected due to muscle dysfunction. High force abnormal activity may cause damage to fast-twitch muscle fibers. There is an electromechanical delay that contributes to the altered temporal sequencing of muscles. This electromechanical delay refers to the time lag between the onset of muscle and nerve activation and muscle contraction. 

EMG assessment has been used to identify muscle dysfunction in agonist and antagonist muscle groups. Agonist and antagonist muscle groups are muscles that carry out similar or opposing functions during joint movements. EMG assessment is helpful in patella-femoral pain and neck and back pain. The compensatory increase in EMG activity in an uninjured area or other muscle groups is noted.

Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC) provides focused treatment for muscle cramps or issues that cause muscle problems. Contact us today to get the root causes of your delayed onset muscle soreness treated. Our methods of care will help you recover and regain lost strength and function; call us today.

Visit our next article to understand the impact of delayed soreness on joints. We have also published on paper on muscle soreness and athletic performance.

Best Spine and Joint Treatment in Malaysia

Get the best spine and joint treatment in Malaysia from an expert clinical team of physiotherapists chiropractors in Kuala Lumpur. CSC’s clinical teams fix and repair spine and joint disorders or injuries without surgery or injections. If you suffer from a sports-related injury or have joint issues or spine-related problems, call our center at 03 2093 1000. Chiropractic Specialty Center® offers the best treatment for the neck, back, and joint in Malaysia. 

For more information on spine and joint issues, please contact us at 03-2093 1000.