The Benefits of Massage Therapy After Working Out
You’ve finished a rigorous workout and your muscles are aching. A massage probably sounds pretty good, but can it really help you recover faster and with less discomfort?
If you think massage is more luxury than function, think again. Massage after a workout has serious benefits backed by science. Whether you’re a dedicated athlete or just enjoy regular workouts, massage therapy can revolutionize your fitness routine, making recovery faster and reducing post-workout muscle soreness and discomfort.
When you don’t feel as sore after a workout, it’s easier to push yourself next time.
Here’s how massage can help:
The Benefits of Massage Therapy After Working Out
Enhanced Muscle Recovery
Massage therapy can significantly aid muscle recovery following strenuous exercise. A 2008 systematic review by Best et al cites ten randomized controlled trials that found evidence that massage helps alleviate delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which typically manifests hours after intense physical activity.
Physiological Benefits
The American Massage Therapy Association lists several physiological benefits of massage, including:
- Muscle tension and stiffness relief
- Speeds up healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
- Reduced muscle pain, less swelling, and fewer spasms
- Improved range of motion and joint flexibility
- Overall better athletic performance
Psychological Boost
Massage therapy also offers significant psychological advantages after working out. A study by Weinberg et al found significantly decreased tension, confusion, fatigue, anxiety, and depression among university students in physical education classes after massage compared to controls.
This psychological uplift can be as crucial as physical recovery. Feeling good about yourself after working out makes it a lot easier to work out next time.
How Long Should a Massage Be for Optimal Therapeutic Benefits?
Interestingly, the duration of the massage plays a role in its effectiveness. A meta-analysis in 2016 found that shorter massages (5 to 12 minutes) provided better outcomes than longer massages in terms of work on cycling sprints, endurance, and vertical jump performance.
That means you don’t have to spend a lot of time incorporating massage into your post-workout routine to get results.
Post-Workout Massage Therapy at Your Journey Health Club
Therapeutic Massage
Moderate to deep pressure targets sore and tense muscles, helping to release muscle knots and promote faster recovery. Light stretching during the session improves flexibility to prevent injuries and improve overall workout performance.
Heated towels and essential aromatherapy oils enhance blood flow to the muscles to promote healing and reduce stiffness.
After your massage, choose between a 20-minute infrared sauna session to boost blood circulation and detoxify the body or a cryotherapy spot treatment to reduce inflammation and stimulate natural healing processes.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The rhythmic circular movements of a lymphatic drainage massage stimulate the natural flow of lymph, reducing swelling and fluid retention often experienced after intense workouts.
By improving lymph flow, this massage boosts your immune system, helping you stay healthy and recover more quickly. It also decreases inflammation for faster recovery and reduced discomfort.
After the massage, enjoy a 20-minute session in our state-of-the-art infrared sauna to relax and detoxify your body further.
Try a Post-Workout Massage
Why endure the discomfort of post-exercise soreness when you can recover faster and feel better with a targeted massage?
The science-backed benefits of post-workout massage therapy are undeniable.
From enhanced muscle recovery and reduced inflammation to a mood lift, massage can truly transform your fitness routine.
Sign up for a post-workout massage a try after your next workout. You won’t be sorry you did!
