aches

Muscle aches and pains are varied. One type is soreness and stiffness that develop as the result of ever doing some physical activity--whether running a marathon, digging in the yard, or simply carrying a heavy bag of groceries. This kind of pain, which doctors call delayed -onset muscle soreness (DOMS), typically begins a day or two after the activity and can last up to a week. Overdo it at the gym? Hints: *Drinking a lot of fluids before, during, and after exercise can help prevent muscle problems. *Warming up before exercise and stretching afterward help the muscles relax and reduce the risk of injury. *Applying ice promptly to sore muscles will reduce inflammation. *An herbal oil massage can soothe muscle soreness. RD