Our thighs have some of the most important muscles of the lower extremities that help us to move around, walk, run, and participate in many exercises and competitive sporting activities. There are basically three large muscle groups that the thigh houses. The first group is the quadriceps muscles which are constituted of four muscles which help an individual to extend and straighten the lower part of the leg. Behind the thighs are another set of muscles called the hamstring muscles. They are constituted of three muscles which help to flex the lower leg towards the buttocks and are extremely useful in running. On the inside half of the thigh is the abductors and adductors, which helps in movement of the leg to the side. Soreness of any of these muscle groups can result in Sore Thighs.
Sore Thighs may occur due to many reasons. It may occur due to an intense workout, excessive stretching, sitting in one place for a prolonged period of time, disuse or deconditioning of the thigh muscles can also result in Thigh Soreness. It becomes very difficult for an individual to walk as a result of Sore Thighs.
Ways to Get Rid of Sore Thighs
Whatever may be the reason for an individual to have sore thighs, there are some simple techniques to get rid of them. Some of the ways to get rid of Sore Thighs include:
Ice
Application of an ice pack at the area of soreness is quite a good way to get rid of sore thighs. You can place an ice pack and wrap is with a bandage to help it stay on the thighs while you move around. You can apply ice for 15-20 minutes about two to three times a day. Doing this for a couple of days will help you get rid of sore thighs.
Massage
Massaging the sore area is also a good way to get rid of sore thighs. There are various massage techniques that can be employed to get rid of sore thighs. You can push the hands from the knee, up the thigh, towards your buttocks. This type of massage will help get relief from any muscle tension and help you get rid of sore thighs. You can also place your hands on either side of the thigh and can use rotating motions. Practicing these couple of times a day for a few days will help you get rid of sore thighs.
Elevation
Try and elevate the affected leg by keeping a couple of pillows under the leg to relieve inflammation and swelling is also a good way to get rid of sore thighs.
NSAIDs
These are also quite useful to get rid of sore thighs. Taking ibuprofen or Advil can reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation and help you get rid of sore thighs.
Activity Restrictions
Try and abstain from any activity which may tend to aggravate sore thighs for a few days till the time the inflammation and pain calms down and then you can gradually return to all normal activities
In some cases, Sore Thighs can be a sign of a muscle strain. In such instances, you need to look carefully for other signs like bruising or tenderness to palpation. If there are any such areas then you may have to consult with a sports physician for a definitive diagnosis.
In summary, it is recommended to start your workout after about a 5 minute warmup so as to prevent any muscle soreness. This is especially when you have to participate in sporting activities that requires a lot of running like football, rugby, or track and field which is where you may be highly vulnerable to injure the muscles of the thigh and end up having sore thighs.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Muscle Strains https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-muscle-strains
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