Massage,[1] compression garments,[2] cold therapy,[3] local heat pack therapy,[3] vibration therapy,[4], foam rolling,[5] and intermittent compression therapy[6] have mild to moderate effects in reducing DOMS. However, popular recovery tools such as saunas,[3] stretching,[7] and acupuncture[8] have not been found to be effective in treating DOMS.
Are there any other treatments for DOMS?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Various treatments for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) include massage, compression garments, cold therapy, local heat pack therapy, vibration therapy, foam rolling, and intermittent compression therapy, which have shown mild to moderate effectiveness. However, methods like saunas, stretching, and acupuncture have not proven effective for DOMS.