Many years ago, while I was setting up camp by an icy lake, a fellow hiker told me that a swim in the lake would remove the soreness in my muscles. I was too chicken, but that hiker was right! A recent Cochrane review suggests that immersion in water below 60 degrees F following a punishing workout reduces muscle fatigue and soreness for up to 4 days compared to no action. Those adverse to cold water baths can take heart in a few small studies showing that hot baths may do the same.
PositiveTip: Try a 3 minute immersion in cold water following a workout. It might help!