New Year Workouts, February Pain: When Soreness Isn’t Just “Normal”
By February, many people across Colorado begin to feel something different than expected post-workout soreness. That lingering hip pain, stubborn shoulder tightness, or low back discomfort may be your body signaling that it needs support—not just rest.
What Normal Post-Workout Soreness Feels Like
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is common when returning to exercise. It typically:
- Appears 24–72 hours after activity
- Feels like generalized muscle tenderness or stiffness
- Improves with light movement
This type of soreness reflects normal muscle adaptation.
When Pain Is a Sign to Pay Attention
Pain may be more than normal soreness if it:
- Lasts longer than 5–7 days
- Feels sharp, pinching, or burning
- Is localized to a joint rather than muscle
- Worsens with activity instead of improving
According to the National Institutes of Health, many overuse injuries occur when training intensity increases faster than tissue recovery can keep up.
Why February Is When Problems Show Up
- Rapid jump in workout intensity after January rest
- Cold muscles that are slower to warm and adapt
- Old injuries resurfacing under new load
- Inadequate recovery between sessions
By this point, the body has often been “pushing through” for weeks.
Supporting Recovery When Rest Isn’t Enough
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring joint motion and movement balance. While it does not treat muscle tears or fractures, it may help by:
- Reducing joint restrictions that overload muscles
- Improving movement efficiency
- Supporting recovery and injury prevention
Helping Tissues Catch Up to Your Effort
For pain that doesn’t resolve with rest or movement alone, SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Therapy may be an additional option.
SoftWave uses low-intensity acoustic waves to stimulate cellular activity in injured or irritated tissues. Research suggests this type of therapy may:
- Increase blood flow to injured areas
- Support tissue regeneration
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Help activate the body’s natural healing response
SoftWave is non-invasive, does not involve injections or medications, and is often used alongside chiropractic care for stubborn soft-tissue injuries.
SoftWave does not replace medical care and is not appropriate for every condition. A full evaluation is necessary to determine whether it’s a good fit.
Important Disclaimer
Severe pain, sudden weakness, swelling, numbness, or pain following trauma should be evaluated by a medical provider. Chiropractic care and SoftWave therapy are supportive approaches and do not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
