RecoveryArticle
Understanding soreness versus injury
How to tell the difference — and when it is worth checking in with a professional.
5 min read
Delayed-onset muscle soreness typically shows up twelve to twenty-four hours after activity, feels dull and symmetrical, and eases with gentle movement. It's a normal response to new or harder-than-usual effort.
Pain that is sharp, one-sided, gets worse with movement rather than better, or shows up during the activity itself is a different signal entirely — one worth pausing for and getting evaluated if it persists more than a few days.
When in doubt, easing back rather than pushing through is almost always the safer call.
