If you're feeling sore from a run or gym session, you might wonder whether it's better to push through or give your body a rest.

This achy or stiff feeling in your muscles after exercise is known as " delayed onset muscle soreness " (DOMS). Soreness usually sets in within the first 12–24 hours after your exercise session, and often peaks 24–72 hours after .

In most instances, DOMS will disappear completely in three to five days. But what should you do in the meantime? Is it OK to exercise if you're still sore? Here's what the evidence says.

Why do muscles get sore after a workout?

When you exercise, tiny tears (also called "microtears") occur in your muscles. Then, as your body floods the area with fluids and nutrients to repair them, it causes inflammation . This is part of the

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