Help for my son...

[KeepItSimple]

Hi all...

Our oldest boy just started football season.  This is his first year at the high school level.  He did not prepare himself for the beginning of practice (over the summer) and he is feeling the pain now. 

He walks like an old man.  He says his muscles hurt (especially in the quads and hams)....not so much soreness as pain.  I was wondering if you think this could be lactic acid build up? 

We have tried epsom salt baths, ice packs, massage...but it just doesn't seem to help much?

Any suggestions on what I should give him to help him and his body?

We have always shied away from Sports Drinks because of the sugar..but, perhaps I need to get him some of those?  How about a snack in back pack for directly after practice? 

Please any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[likemanywaters]

Coconut Water is an excellent natural electrolyte replenishing drink to replace those sports drinks. I get mine at Amazon.com and end up getting free shipping & 15% off b/c I have them automatically deliver it each month.

I wish I knew more about the lactic acid. Sorry. I'm sure someone else will jump on here with that.

[Whiterock]

This happend to me once. I was moving and had to carry a lot of boxes and furniture up a couple flights of stairs. After we got everything in, I walked around the apartment for a little bit (unpacking a few things) but then just plopped down on the sofa to rest... and paid for it dearly. 

If it's lactic acid buildup then he is likely stopping activity too soon (not cooling down properly) . To keep the the acid from pooling in the muscles you have to keep them moving so that the blood can clear it out. He needs to slowly back down from high activity to low/no activity.

WR

[SC]

There's a sports drinks recipe thread here on WTM called
"Electrolyte Drink Recipes"
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,5741.msg103598.html#msg103598

[floydian]

This happend to me once. I was moving and had to carry a lot of boxes and furniture up a couple flights of stairs. After we got everything in, I walked around the apartment for a little bit (unpacking a few things) but then just plopped down on the sofa to rest... and paid for it dearly. 

If it's lactic acid buildup then he is likely stopping activity too soon (not cooling down properly) . To keep the the acid from pooling in the muscles you have to keep them moving so that the blood can clear it out. He needs to slowly back down from high activity to low/no activity.

WR

So when you work out, if you keep  moving and slowly back down from high to low activity, you won't get sore?  Even after an intense workout?  Or will you just be less sore?
Thanks!!

[Whiterock]

Getting sore and having a build up of lactic acid are different, I think. I know the feeling is very different at least! It felt like my legs were on fire! I would cry when I had to get up to go to the bathroom.
WR

[KeepItSimple]

Thank you everyone for your replies!  I have ordered some coconut water, and I did an internet search for 'electrolyte replacement drink recipes'!  I found another recipe, which we made, and it tastes very, very good.  I modified it just a bit from what was recommended.

In case anyone is interested it is:

1 qt. water
1/2 tsp. salt (I used Celtic Sea Salt)
2 tbsp. Honey
2 bananas

I blended this for about a minute and poured into a jar.  We tasted it right away, and even without it being chilled it was delicious! 

Thanks again! -
Camille

PS - He is already beginning to feel much better after eating some bananas, drinking the banana water, and going for a couple of walks today!