How to treat DOMS?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 29-year-old female, weighing 214 pounds, and have a height of 5 feet 4 inches. I am on Levlen (birth control) medication.

I attended a SoulCycle spin class for the first time (approximately 36 hours ago) and have been exercising (jogging, walking, and body weight resistance training for the past six months).

I have extreme muscle soreness in my quadriceps, trouble walking, and controlling my legs, especially on stairs, and pain bad enough to interrupt sleep.

I am unsure if it is DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), or is something more serious, or if I just need to wait for recovery?

Symptoms began almost immediately after the class and have not diminished since.

Kindly help.

Answered by Sreenivasa Rao

Education:

BPT

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sreenivasa Rao is a well-experienced Physiotherapist with expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, post-surgical and post-injury recovery, neurological and orthopedic physiotherapy, pain management, sports injury rehabilitation, geriatric and pediatric physiotherapy, posture correction, and lifestyle modification through therapeutic exercises.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

In my opinion, what you experience seems to be DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) only.

  1. I suggest you take a massage if you can.
  2. Take a warm shower before bed.
  3. Do a lot of stretching.
  4. Swimming will reduce soreness along with underwater stretches.
  5. If you think you have too much soreness, have a mild anti-inflammatory medication prescribed to you earlier.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Revert to me in case you need any further help in this regard.

Thank you and take care.

Answered by Sreenivasa Rao
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At December 10, 2022
Reviewed At April 9, 2025

Education:

BPT

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sreenivasa Rao is a well-experienced Physiotherapist with expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, post-surgical and post-injury recovery, neurological and orthopedic physiotherapy, pain management, sports injury rehabilitation, geriatric and pediatric physiotherapy, posture correction, and lifestyle modification through therapeutic exercises.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

BPT

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sreenivasa Rao is a well-experienced Physiotherapist with expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, post-surgical and post-injury recovery, neurological and orthopedic physiotherapy, pain management, sports injury rehabilitation, geriatric and pediatric physiotherapy, posture correction, and lifestyle modification through therapeutic exercises.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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