Massage is defined as the rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, especially to relieve tension or pain. It can ease tiredness, reduce jet lag, and improve recovery after a tough workout. There is often less inflammation and muscle damage when a massage is received shortly after exercise rather than a few days later.
A post-workout massage is a practical way to enhance your tough workout routine. Here are some reasons why it’s wise to incorporate a massage into your workout routine:
1. To speed up your recovery time after an intense workout —
Massage increases blood flow to the whole body. When blood flow circulates well, your muscles and tissues receive much-needed oxygen and nutrients. Adding a post-workout massage helps restore your range of motion, and helps you perform exercise more efficiently. This increased range of motion in ankles and legs improves your speed during workouts.
2. To decrease the soreness of your muscles after you work out —
Prevent post-workout pain and tight muscles by enjoying a massage after your workout.
3. To remove toxins from the body after a workout —
Lactic acid accumulates when we exercise and contributes to post-workout muscle soreness. A massage after working out helps break up and remove lactic acid from muscles.
4. To improve flexibility after your workout —
Muscles may feel tight and constricted after intense workouts. Post-workout massage helps release the tightness and improves flexibility. Muscle recovery means it will be easier to do everyday things that require your body to be flexible. Runners who focus their post-workout massage on their hamstrings find they gain endurance and speed in their running.
5. To reward yourself after a hard workout —
Each of us can do more to relax and enjoy life. So many of us are prone to give, and we must learn to receive as well. A post-workout massage can be a practical way to reward yourself after a great workout. It will help keep your experience positive and increase your motivation to get to the gym. As you know, working out helps improve your sleep, and sleep helps you avoid fatigue and stay energized the next day. The benefits of working out last far beyond the time you are at the gym, so reward yourself with a massage.
Massage Options
Although it is most enjoyable to receive a professional massage from a massage therapist, if that isn’t feasible, there are other options available. The first option is to recruit your spouse to give you a shoulder and back massage. Another option is to use foam rollers or tune-up balls to self-massage.
Tune-up balls are great for massage, particularly if you travel often. They provide targeted massage trigger point therapy by using rubber massage balls and movement to penetrate through layers of skin and muscle to massage deeply into your painful areas. Here are a few things they are known to help:
Stiff neck and headaches
Tight jaw or TMJ
Frozen shoulder
Sciatica and back pain
Tight hips and hamstrings
IT band syndrome
Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
Massage after workout
Why not increase self-care and schedule a massage after your workouts? Elite Training of Tulsa offers a variety of massage options for your benefit. Enjoy personalized treatment to enhance your ability to reach your individual goals. There’s nothing more relaxing than a professional massage.
Relieve stress
Relieve sore muscles from working out
Provide some relief from chronic pain
Increase relaxation
Elite Training’s Massage Therapist’s Specialties
Deep Tissue Massage —
focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue, and helps chronic aches and pains.
Customized Massage —
focuses on your specific needs.
Swedish Massage —
helps promote healing while targeting pain, injuries, stress, and stiffness. Uses gliding and kneading to ease pain and promote relaxation.
Craniosacral Massage —
focuses on the bones of the head, spinal column, and sacrum. A gentle, noninvasive form of massage that addresses the head and the spinal column to release compression and to ease stress and pain.
Myofascial Release —
releases tension in the fascia due to trauma, posture, or inflammation.
Reflexology —
a system of massage used to relieve tension based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head linked to various parts of the body.
Elite Training of Tulsa is ready to help you reach your goals. Schedule your first training session for free