Massage after a Workout: The Benefits and Types of Massages
It is a well-known fact that massage therapy has many benefits for both your physical and mental health. A good massage can reduce stress, improve blood circulation, relieve pain, and even help you sleep better.
But what about after a workout? There are many muscles in your body that need to be stretched out from the activity of working out.
This article will discuss the benefits of getting a post-workout massage and some types of massage that work best for this type of situation!
What Happens Within Your Body After a Workout?
After a workout, your body is releasing all sorts of hormones and chemicals that have been building up from the activity.
The post-workout state is beneficial because it can help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow to muscles, and even aid in muscle recovery!
Inevitably though, there are a few drawbacks as well. Your joints may swell or become sore due to increased pressure on them during your workout session; you might also experience some stiffness or cramping when your body cools down after exercise.
The good news is that these symptoms will usually go away by themselves within 24 hours without any treatment needed - but why wait? A massage can really make things feel better faster!
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Delayed onset muscle soreness is the technical name for what most people call "that sore feeling" that may show up in the days following a workout.
Mild to severe muscle damage can lead to delayed onset muscle pain, which is usually felt anywhere from one day after exercise all the way through seven days later!
Delayed onset muscle soreness can be treated with massage therapy done by an experienced professional or it could also have some success if you perform self-massage techniques on your own using oils and lotions made specifically for this type of discomfort.
5 Benefits of a Massage After Workout
Massage helps your recovery after your workout sessions
A massage session after working out can help with recovery and decrease the intensity of delayed onset muscle pain.
Massage helps by reducing swelling in your muscles, which decreases stiffness and lessens soreness.
What's more, massage is a form of passive exercise, so it helps to increase blood flow while stretching out tight areas. This will all contribute to a faster healing time for those who suffer from post-workout discomfort!
Massage improves your blood circulation
Massage can help increase the flow of blood to your muscles and tissue. This will also open up clogged lymph nodes, which are organs that filter out waste products in the body like bacteria and viruses.
With a good circulation system, you'll have fewer headaches from tension in your neck or head as well!
Massage is sometimes referred to as “liquid exercise” because it increases blood flow by activating pressure points on the body which in turn relaxes the muscles.
If you're seeking relief for chronic pain conditions such as arthritis then this would be a perfect option for improving mobility. In order to get maximum results though, we recommend at least six sessions over two weeks.
Reduces stress and anxiety
It's a well-documented fact that massage helps the release of hormones such as serotonin and dopamine that can help reduce stress or anxiety.
Massage techniques such as deep tissue massage have been shown to significantly decrease cortisol levels which is the primary symptom of chronic stress.
Cortisol acts on tissues in your brain, suppressing immune function while increasing blood pressure and heart rate - not ideal for a healthy lifestyle!
Massage improves your flexibility
Flexibility is often an overlooked area when it comes to health and fitness. It's important for both your muscles, joints, and tendons to be at their maximum range of motion in order to perform exercises that you enjoy doing or need for everyday life without injury.
Massage will help increase flexibility by breaking down scar tissue found between muscle fibers which can reduce the restriction of movement across a joint.
If you want an easy way to start incorporating massage into your routine after exercise then try using a foam roller on any tight areas before stretching out with typical yoga poses - this should only take about five minutes!
Start with gentle pressure and gradually add more as needed until you find relief from tension. The foam roller is also great for improving the circulation around sore muscles so they heal faster following exercise.
Reduced inflammation
Another benefit of massage is reducing inflammation. When you exercise and put stress on your muscles, they become inflamed. Massage can help to reduce that inflammation which leads to pain reduction.
The more often you massage the smaller the muscle fibers will be as well so muscular soreness may also feel less intense over time!
This is a great habit for people who are new to exercise to get into because it helps them avoid injuries from overtraining or from doing too much without warming up first - not only does this type of injury hurt but it's tough on your body in general.
What Kind of Massage Works Best After Exercise?
Swedish massage
Swedish massage is a great choice for a post-workout massage. This is a very gentle massage that focuses on the soft tissues and muscles to help promote circulation, reduce tension in these areas, and relax you.
This type of massage also helps with muscle recovery after exercise because it increases blood flow as well as encourages relaxation which can lead to better sleep quality - another thing that's important for getting back into good shape!
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage helps your recovery by targeting the deeper layers of muscle tissue and connective tissues around your joints, muscles, and bones. This type of massage will help you feel less pain after a workout as well as easing any tension in these areas.
The key to this type of massage is that it brings more blood flow into those deep tissues which can lead to better healing!
Deep tissue massage also helps with flexibility because it targets stiffened joints or other problem areas that might be causing tightness in your muscles - another thing we want post-workout!
Sports massage
Perhaps an obvious choice after exercise, sports massage is a great way to help you feel relief and recover from your workout.
Sports massage uses various techniques including friction, compression, or kneading along with some stretching in order to increase blood flow into muscles that have been overworked - just what we're looking for after our intense session!
It's also good for pain relief because it helps relieve any muscle spasms and lactic acid buildup by using gentle manual therapy methods. And if you're not feeling as much of an ache post-workout thanks to this type of massage then the next time you work out might be less difficult on your body which means more progress in the long run!
Thai massage
Thai massage is the favorite choice for many athletes as it features a combination of both passive and active techniques making it perfect for the post-workout session.
The therapist will start by placing their hands on or near to your body in order to build up heat which helps with pain relief, then they'll use pressure along your muscles as well as other parts of your body such as feet, legs, back, and face in order to help improve blood flow.
This type of massage is great if you have any knots because its technique targets those areas specifically but can also be used all over the body depending on what feels best for you!
Muscle Percussion Therapy
Percussion therapy is another type that focuses on the use of pressure to help alleviate pain and improve blood flow.
The therapist will tap, strike, or beat your muscles with their hands, elbows, forearms, and/or feet which can be quite intense but is often very effective in treating stiff muscles that are aching from exercise.
FAQ
Is it good to massage after a workout?
Yes, studies show that massage has many benefits for the body such as improving muscle recovery and reducing inflammation.
Is massage good for muscle growth?
Massage may be beneficial to muscle growth but more research is needed to know for sure.
Does massage speed up muscle recovery?
Yes. The effect on muscle recovery is influenced by the type of massage. For example, deep tissue or trigger point massage will do a better job than Swedish and Shiatsu massages at stimulating blood flow to the muscles when they are sore and recovering from exercise
How often should you get a message when working out?
The recommended frequency of massage varies by person and can range from every day to once a week. If you're sore after exercise, it is best to get a message as soon as possible.
Why does muscle pain feel better when someone massages you?
Massage reduces pain by stimulating blood flow, which reduces the inflammatory hormone and substance levels that are released in response to pain.
