Back Pain After Exercise: Soreness or an Injury?

Mild back soreness a day or two after exercise is often normal. It is called delayed onset muscle soreness, and it typically shows up 24 to 48 hours after a workout, peaks over the next day or two and settles on its own. The key is telling ordinary soreness apart from the kind of pain that deserves an evaluation.

Delayed onset muscle soreness feels like a dull, diffuse ache in the muscles you worked, and it usually improves with gentle movement. It is most common after unfamiliar or intense activity, especially movements like lifting, squats or deadlifts.

Injury-related back pain looks different. It tends to come on during or right after an activity rather than a day later, and it is often sharp, localized to one side, or worse with specific movements. Pain that radiates down a leg, comes with numbness or tingling, includes swelling or bruising, or follows a 'pop' is worth getting checked. The same goes for pain that keeps worsening or does not improve within a few days.

When exercise-related back pain lingers or keeps returning, an evaluation is a sensible next step. Dr. Gregory Martin looks at how your back actually moves and connects that to your training and daily habits. Chiropractic care may help some people by improving mobility and easing stiffness, as part of getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Dr. Greg has practiced since 1996 and sees patients at his office in Sparta, New Jersey. If your back is not bouncing back the way it used to, that is worth having looked at close to home.

Call or text (973) 699-4100 to schedule an evaluation.