Lactic Acid is Not Responsible for Muscle Soreness

One of my great passions is education. No matter my profession, I know I will always end up educating in one form or another. At this moment, I'm teaching about the body and the myth of lactic acid soreness. My first instructor in massage school (Dr. Quinn anatomy/physiology) made us promise to spread the word about two things, the lactic acid myth and the miracle that is ice (we will do the ice thing next month). So here goes....

Lactic acid is a part of the energy cycle. An important part, is that it helps slow you down in response to over-exertion. You know the burn! Lactic acid is partially responsible with the help of some other chemical friends. After exercise, the body reabsorbs lactic acid within 30 to 90 minutes. So you ask, what causes the soreness that we have incorrectly blamed on lactic acid? The precise chemical or cause of muscle soreness has yet to be determined but it looks like muscle cell damage (which is necessary to build up the muscle) and possibly the inflammation/healing process are the true culprits. For a more scientific explanation read http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-does-lactic-acid-buil. So don't not blame an innocent chemical on soreness, blame your trainer or your massage therapist!