Muscle Soreness

Muscle soreness, or myalgia, is characterized by discomfort in ligaments, tendons, fascia, and the soft tissues that connect muscles, often triggered by nociceptors (Pain Research and Management). This soreness can be categorized into acute muscle soreness, experienced during or immediately after exercise, and delayed muscle soreness, occurring 24 to 48 hours post-exercise. While multiple theories exist to explain delayed soreness—including lactic acid accumulation, muscle spasm, torn tissue, and connective tissue damage—there is yet no unified consensus in Western medicine (Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen is considered responsible for the muscles and limbs, while tendons are believed to be governed by the liver. TCM practitioners typically focus on the tendons when treating muscle soreness (Journal of Ethnopharmacology).