Of all the consequences of re-starting a sport or physical activity after a break, muscular aches are probably the least fun. How can we reduce them so they don’t spoil our next sports session?

• Treatment with cold or heat

Using cold or heat to relieve pain is a very ancient technique. If you can’t give yourself a session of cryotherapy, you can always speed your recovery with a hot bath. And if you don’t have a bath, you can rub on a warming balm or embrocation to help soothe pain.

• Keep hydrated

Remember to drink plenty before, during and after activity. Water is our best ally in the fight against the buildup of lactic acid which is, amongst other things, responsible for muscular aches.

• Sleep

In many ways, sleep is really restorative. Better than the most elaborate creams, a good night’s sleep lets your muscle tissues recover. The reason is that the cells that handle this regenerate three times faster at night than during the day.

• Winding down after a workout

For a really smooth recovery, treat yourself to a massage to relax your muscles and stimulate blood flow.

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