20 Ways to Bounce Back from Soreness

1. Cryotherapy

During a Cryotherapy treatment, blood rushes to the core as a survival mechanism in reaction to the sub-zero temperatures and blood becomes very oxygenated and nutrient-dense. Minutes after the treatment, blood rushes back through the body, removing toxins and inflammation and encouraging natural healing.

Evolve Cryo + Wellness is a great go-to for all things recovery, but they are exceptional at cryotherapy. Whether you choose the whole body treatment or simply a spot session, you’ll be feeling as good as new almost immediately.

2. Compression Recovery Boots

These inflatable sleeves use an air pump to force blood out of the targeted area, reducing pressure in the process. Shortly after, the pressure is reduced and the blood flows back through the veins. To keep the venous blood moving, the process uses intermittent compressions. 

Athletic Outcomes’ recovery lounge caters to your rejuvenation needs. Slip into the boots, turn on Netflix, and relax while the product goes to work. AO will bring you water, tea, or coffee during your session. Soreness never felt so good.  

3. Acupuncture

4. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) 

5. Massage

6. Foam Rolling

7. Yin Yoga

8. Supplements

9. Anti-inflammatory foods

10. Contrast Bath Therapy 

11. Epsom Salts

12. IV Drips

Following intense physical activity, IVs containing saline or a combination of minerals, vitamins, and medicine may help athletes to rapidly rehydrate. Under physical exertion, blood flows to the muscles and away from the stomach, making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. Bypassing the GI tract allows IVs to deliver the drip's nutrients directly into the blood. Unlike oral hydration, it also eliminates the risk of vomiting. 

IV drips have become much more accessible in recent years. Places like Drip Drop IV and IVitamin Therapy Lounge offer different hydration formulas to help you reach optimal functioning. Downtown Doctor also has an IV hydration bar with proprietary blends.

13. Spa

A trip to the spa can be the escape you need to get back to doing what you love. Reset your mood with treatments like hot oil massages, aromatherapy, and scrubs, and body wraps.

One of the newest treatments at Hiatus Spa, The Perfect Body Lift, employs the principles of contrast therapy combined with micro-circulating treatment. Not only does it helps stimulate, lift, tighten, and revitalize the contouring areas of the body, but it also boosts your energy and revitalizes your spirit.

14. Cupping

15. Dry Needling

16. Ozone Pod

Depending on the ailment or necessity, the ozone steam sauna can be one of the most powerful methods of introducing ozone and oxygen into the body. During an ozone steam sauna session, the extra oxygen molecule (free-radical) will break apart from the O3 molecule. That single oxygen molecule will then attach itself to toxins that will be excreted. It Increases production of ATP, which results in more energy and faster recovery. This method also oxidizes lactic acid, helping prevent sore muscles.

At Austin Ozone Therapy, you’ll sit in their pod for 30 minutes while their machine goes to work. It feels similar to a sauna, but when it’s over, you’re able to see the physical toxins you sweat out.

17. Adaptogens

Adaptogens help the body to resist and adjust to physical stress, boosting energy by raising levels of ATP and creatine phosphate. Both compounds have important antioxidants that improve oxygen efficiency and cardiovascular function. Adaptogens also aid the body’s recovery through increasing the manufacturing of proteins.

Shop for adaptogenic superherbs made by Moon Juice at local spots like Picnik and Outdoor Voices. Juice Society also sells high quality products from Sun Potion. 

18. LED Therapy Lights

19. Infrared Sauna

20. Active Recovery

Active recovery focuses on completing a workout at a low intensity, but just high enough that it gets the blood moving and helps reduce residual fatigue in the muscle. On a recovery day, running at a low intensity for a short duration such as less than sixty minutes or riding for less than 75 minutes can help speed recovery