Q: I’ve always heard that some soreness is just part of getting stronger, especially when you’re exercising regularly. How can I tell the difference between normal soreness and an injury I shouldn’t ignore?
A: It’s true that some muscle soreness can be a normal part of starting a new workout or increasing your activity. But there’s a difference between being a little sore after a workout and having pain that keeps coming back or gets worse every time you exercise.
Overuse injuries are especially common because they don’t necessarily happen with one dramatic injury. Instead, they develop gradually when we repeatedly put stress on the muscles, tendons, bones or joints without giving the body enough time to recover.
One of the biggest warning signs is pain that gets worse during or after activity. Persistent soreness or stiffness, swelling, tenderness, decreased strength or a noticeable drop in performance are other signs that something may be wrong.
This can happen to anyone, not just competitive athletes. Runners may develop knee pain or shin splints. Swimmers can develop shoulder problems. Tennis players and golfers can experience elbow pain. Even people who simply increase their walking, gym workouts or other activities too quickly can develop overuse injuries.