When Does Muscle Soreness Become a Problem? Signs It May Be Time to See a Physical Therapist

Muscle soreness after a workout, long hike, weekend project, or unfamiliar activity is not automatically a reason for concern. Your body can feel stiff and tender when muscles have been challenged in ways they are not used to.The harder question is knowing when soreness has crossed into something that deserves more attention.Normal post-exercise soreness should gradually improve. Pain that lingers, keeps returning, affects normal movement, or becomes sharper instead of better can signal a different problem. Paying attention to how the discomfort feels and how it changes can help you decide what to do next.What Normal Muscle Soreness Typically Feels LikeDelayed-onset muscle soreness, commonly called DOMS, tends to develop after a new or more intense activity. It can leave the affected muscles feeling tender, stiff, weak, or achy. According to Cleveland Clinic, DOMS develops after exercise and generally improves on its own as the muscles recover.You might notice it after increasing the weight you lift, starting a new running program, returning to exercise after a break, or doing movements your body has not performed recently.Normal soreness tends to have a few recognizable features:T...