You’ve been taking excellent care of yourself by exercising, but you're feeling a little run down after pushing yourself to the limit. Massage is a wonderful complement to your exercise routine and helps your body recover quickly so you can feel and perform your best.
Why does a workout make you achy and stiff?
One reason is that when you work out, you are breaking down muscle tissue. This can cause inflammation, which can lead to stiffness. Another reason is that when you work out, you are using your muscles in a way that they are not used to. This can cause the muscles to become tight and sore. Finally, if you are not hydrated or if you do not warm up properly before your workout, you are more likely to experience stiffness.
What about lactic acid?
The soreness that you feel after exercise is not caused by lactic acid buildup. It is actually caused by micro-tears in the muscle tissue. These tears are repaired by the body's immune system, and the resulting inflammation is what causes the soreness. Massage can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing, but it does not actually remove lactic acid from the body. Lactic acid is a natural byproduct of muscle contraction, and it is broken down by the body's own systems within a few hours.
There are a few things that you can do to help your body remove lactic acid after exercise. These include:
Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.
Getting enough rest.
Stretching your muscles.
Doing low-intensity exercises, such as walking or biking.
How massage helps
Reduces muscle soreness: Massage therapy can help to reduce muscle soreness by increasing blood flow to the area and breaking up scar tissue.
Improves blood flow: Massage therapy can help to improve blood flow to the area, which can help to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and remove waste products.
Increases flexibility: Massage therapy can help to increase flexibility by stretching the muscles and tendons.
Reduces stress: Massage therapy can help to reduce stress, which can help to improve sleep and recovery.
““Massage therapy can help to reduce muscle soreness, improve circulation, and promote relaxation, all of which can contribute to faster recovery from a workout.”
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Benefits of post-workout massage
Learn about the benefits of post-workout massage from a marathon runner.
Come visit us at Parkside
Come see our expert team at Parkside Clinic where we tailor our care to your specific condition and tap into your body’s natural healing ability. Make an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact us.