Most skiers assume sore muscles are part of the deal - like hangovers! But muscle strain doesn't have to be part of your holiday says Channelhealth.net's Doctor John Briffa.

Muscle soreness and odd strains are common side-effects of skiing.

An essential part of avoiding such injuries is to make sure you warm up and stretch your muscles gently before you undertake any more strenuous activity. Light stretching after you have exercised will also help prevent muscle soreness setting in.

During exercise our demands for oxygen go up causing us to generate more damaging free radical molecules than normal. The effect of free radicals is to cause our muscles to feel sore and achy a day or so after exercise.

Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C and bioflavonoids may help offset the damage that muscles endure during exercise. Taken on a regular basis these nutrients reduce the incidence of sports injuries and shorten the time it takes to recover from a muscle injury. Take 1000 mg (milligrams) of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, 2-3 times a day.

Bromelain, an extract of pineapple, also has potent anti-inflammatory properties in the body. Take 500 mg (milligrams), three times a day on an empty stomach. For topical relief I recommend arnica ointment. Massaged into the affected area 2-3 times a day this can have soothing and healing properties for overworked muscles.

Check out this website for more information: www.Channelhealth.tv.