Benefits of Leg Massage
Leg muscles are among the most used muscles in our body, but we usually don’t pay enough attention to them unless they hurt. Yet there is a better way. Studies show that incorporating regular leg massage sessions in our schedule comes with many benefits both in the long run and immediately.
Related: The Best Leg Massagers Reviewed
Whether you are using your own hands, have somebody else to help you, or using a leg massager machine, the information below applies just the same.
When Not to Give a Leg Massage
Before we dive into the benefits of a leg massage it’s important that we look at some of the situations when it’s not recommended to give or get one.
These include:
Leg Massage Benefits
Improved Blood Circulation
A proper leg massage helps blood circulation by loosening the muscles and tissues around them. A sports massage or a deep tissue massage are the most popular forms, depending on the condition of your muscles.
Continuous blood flow is a prerequisite for proper oxygen supply of the leg muscles. Good circulation is also needed for delivering nutrients and removing waste materials from the tissues. It’s not an accident that massage is used extensively by elite athletes after sports activities.
Better Postural Alignment
Undetected and untreated issues such as pelvic imbalance and degenerative hip disease can cause chronic pain in the hip and lower back.
A study documented by the International Professional School of Bodywork has proven that regular leg and lower back massage can result in reduced pain and improved range of motion.
If you are suffering from this issue, you want to contact a licensed massage therapy professional for neuromuscular massage sessions.
Lymphatic System
One of the roles of the lymphatic system (1) is to carry excess fluid and immune cells from the immune system to the heart so they can enter the circulation.
When this process is disrupted it can result in swelling due to the lack of proper fluid circulation. This condition is called lymphedema.
Massage therapy combined with other forms of physical therapies and compression garments can alleviate the symptoms and help the lymphatic system to do its job.
Reducing Muscle Tension and Pain
Muscle tension can be caused by the above-mentioned postural alignment issues, lack of stretching after exercise or even by exercising too much. This in turn will often cause chronic or temporary pain.
Leg massage can help releasing this tension and reducing the pain by loosening the muscles and releasing knots caused by the tension. A vigorous massage will also increase blood supply which helps shortening the pain you can experience after intense exercise. This is called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Relaxation and Better Sleep
Apart from loosening your leg muscles, another benefit of a massage session is the releasing of endorphin. Endorphin is a relaxing or anti-stress hormone, one of the four “happy” hormones created by our brain.
The loosening of muscle tension and reduced pain can also contribute to improved sleep. Massage can help with the nerves in your leg as well, further helping you get a good night’s sleep so many people lack in today’s fast paced world.
Related Questions
How often should you massage your legs?
The recommended frequency of leg massage depends on a number of factors such as your level of physical activity and whether you have a chronic condition. An elite athlete will often have a leg massage daily while the average person can feel the benefits from weekly or biweekly sessions.
How do you get rid of leg pain fast?
Leg pain caused by intense exercise or cramps can be alleviated by combining as many of the following steps as possible: resting while elevating your leg, take a low dose of ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain killer, stretch and gently massage your aching muscles, apply ice on your leg for 10-15 minutes at a time.
