Pains and aches are the effects of exercise, especially after a tough work out session. However, the resulting soreness can cause you to hate or even steer clear of performing the same exercise the following day. Nevertheless, as exercise enthusiasts of all levels are finding out, massage therapy can help. You stand to benefit a lot from incorporating massage as part of your work out programme. Here's how.
Reduction of muscle inflexibility and soreness
Think about the last time you hurt a part of your body. The chances are that you instinctively rubbed the hurt area and the pain subsided. Apart from being an instinctive reaction to ache or pain, touch is also a natural, scientific way to boost the body's natural capacity to heal on its own. What massage does is to increase blood circulation, thus providing oxygen plus nutrients that the affected tissues require for speedy recovery. The pressure exerted on the body when a massage therapist rubs his or her hands on your body stirs up the arteriolar pressure in addition to enhancing muscle temperature. In effect, an exchange of substances involving the tissue cells and blood occurs, which boosts metabolism and hence quick post-work out recovery.
Better posture
Massage therapy is able to stretch and loosen any shortened muscles after work out which helps to reinstate normal range of movement. This ability to restore the full balance of muscles greatly contributes to improved posture, effective movement and ability to avert or minimise existing or potential postural injuries.
Faster post-exercise recovery
Soreness of the muscles is as a result of waste products including carbonic acid and lactic acid that build up in the muscle tissues following a work out session. Basically, massage increases the flow distribution of the lymph flow, and thus the elimination of these waste products. Furthermore, joints and muscle tissues tend to get overworked during exercise, and hence become tight and stiff. Massage restores range of motion and flexibility in the muscle tissues as well as minimising any tension.
Speedy rehabilitation following an injury
Incorporating a massage programme as part of your recovery exercise following a serious injury is important. If you have suffered a soft-tissue injury, massage reduces the creation of scar tissue by boosting the release of fluids needed for tissue restoration. The increased distribution of lymph flow and blood across the injured area encourages tissue regeneration while at the same time reducing swelling. Swelling or inflammation is a primary cause of pain. The fact that massage reduces pain serves to speed up rehabilitation.