DEEP HEAT | Sore muscles before exercise? Try heat therapy to ease pain!

We have all suffered with sore muscles at some or other time during our exercise regime.  Usually, we   have several ways to help cure or prevent muscle soreness after exercise but, what do you do if muscle soreness is experienced before even starting your leg program or run? Often, the recommendation is then not to exercise in order to prevent injury. 

However, what if you need to train or perhaps will be participating in a multi-day event where you have no other option but to get those sore muscles moving? In that situation, the best way to then get those muscles into action is to warm them up!

Heat will increase blood flow to the affected muscles that, in turn, will help to deliver more oxygen and nutrients. The increased blood flow and circulation will also help rid excess lactic acid in the muscle cells and fibers, helping to get the sore muscles moving easier and ready for action.

Heating the muscles can be done through a good warm up and stretching session but, time does not always allow for this. In that case, the most effective and efficient way is to heat the muscles directly using a topical cream such as Deep Heat. 

Deep Heat Rub can be applied directly to the sore muscles – penetrating the skin and reaching the below layers of fascia and muscle, effectively heating the area. It is also quick to apply, heating those painful muscles to get them moving. 

Apply Deep Heat Rub directly onto the skin over the affected muscles, using circular motions and a medium amount of pressure to massage it into the skin. The bigger the muscle group, the more cream that will be needed to effectively heat the muscle.  It is recommended that you apply Deep Heat at least 30min before your workout or race start time as this will ensure enough time for Deep Heat to penetrate the muscle and heat it up.

We recommend always keeping a tube of Deep Heat handy for when you need to get those sore muscles moving again! Available at most Clicks, Dis-Chem, Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, Spar and selected pharmacies as well as online: Deep Heat (mentholatum.co.za)

Article written by EPT – The Ultimate Sports Recovery Experts