Massage Can Enhance Your Exercise Routine. Learn How!
Author: BD Social Date Posted:12 January 2017
But there’s one way to enhance your performance that has nothing to do with diet and certainly not clothes. It’s a relaxing and healing massage.
Many athletes swear by it. But massage’s benefit to a workout regimen also has hard data to back it up, specifically when it comes to increasing the range of motion in joints, reducing fatigue, improving endurance and preventing injuries. “Massage is paramount to the sports medicine formula,” says Scott Weiss, a licensed physical therapist and board-certified athletic trainer who treated the U.S. sailing team at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Post Workout Massage- After an intense workout, massage can help you recover faster. “You won’t get that muscle hangover,” Weiss says. “Think of massage as a muscle flush. When you work out, your muscle fibres get engulfed. Massage helps work that out, reducing soreness.”
Pre-Workout Massage- Right before a big race or game, you probably will taper off your training to allow your body to be fully rested. This is the best time to get a sports massage. “A sports massage is all about loosening muscles up and getting them limber,” Weiss says. But there are different types of sports massages. For instance, a bodybuilder might need a very different type of sports massage than a marathoner.
Post Competition- After the event is over and you’ve received that victory medal, you should be all about relaxing. Massage isn’t just the ultimate reward for a job well done, it also offers deep relaxation, pain relief and enhanced range of motion.
After Injury- First know that massage should not be used as the immediate treatment for a sports injury. If you are injured beyond typical muscle soreness, see your doctor right away. But once you’re on the road to recovery, deep tissue massage can help you heal faster. And it can help with chronic pain. It has also been found to reduce stress and improve mood, which may be necessary after an injury.
So, if you are a sports professional, an enthusiastic athlete or simply follow an exercise routine, incorporating regular massages in your workout regimen can do wonders to boost your overall performance and keep you healthy and fit.
