Ways to Speed Muscle Healing

Are your muscles getting uncomfortably sore, or are they staying sore for more than a couple of days? Here are some tips to help you speed the healing process:

Apply heat. A hot water bottle, a heat pad, or those disposable heat wraps are all great. Another useful idea is a hot bath or shower. You can make your own moist heat pad by filling a sock with rice. Microwave for 2 minutes, and get ready for muscle pain relief!
Get a massage. If you can afford to get professional massages, get one once a month. Otherwise, you might like a massage pad that goes on your office chair, or a massager that you can hold on sore muscles. If you're lucky enough to have a loved one who will massage out your sore muscles, accept the offers. You can also massage out your own sore muscles.
Eat quality food. Really good food (particularly protein and high-quality carbs) build muscles and help them to repair.
Sleep. It's critical that you get enough sleep. There is no substitute for sleep when it comes to healing muscles. (And no, watching TV doesn't count.)