Ouch!

How can you tell the difference between an injury, and just being sore? It's a question Sonya and I decided to put to the experts because of all the new workouts we're trying these days!

"If your muscles are sore from exercise, it might come on later," says physical therapist Libby Trausch, "about 12-24 hours later and the whole muscle feels sore." Being sore can really hurt, but it's different than actually being hurt. "If you have an *injury you might be able to put two fingers on the spot and it hurts. it might come on very quickly and make you want to stop right away." Another good litmus test is that muscle soreness should go away within a few days whereas an injury will linger.

So what should you do? Many of us choose to handle the pain on our own, following a well-known acronym. "First thing you hear is RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation," says Trausch, "but you should also inlcude motion. Careful motion is also very important." If those steps don't get you on the road to recovery, it's important to see a professional who can help you avoid long-term problems and pain. "If you get to a physical therapist early we can identify poor movement patterns so injury doesn't happen again. We can help you protect yourself and get back to doing what you love to do."

Don't forget - we want your ideas for Workout of the Week! Submit your ideas here, or drop us an email!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com