Whether you just jog for fun or you're a professional athlete, you can significantly add value to your exercise routines by incorporating massage therapy. You probably know how relaxing a timely massage can be after working out. The idea behind massage therapy is to strategically add endurance, tone and flexibility to your muscles.

Massages also ease tension and help you avoid soreness after working out. You can add massage therapy to your workout routines by regularly visiting a therapist and doing simple activities at home. Here are some benefits and practical tips for adding massages to your workout routines in 2020.

Benefit: Easing tension and relaxing muscles

One of the biggest benefits of massage therapy is that you can ease tension and discomfort from sore muscles. If you've gone for a long period without working out, your muscles may feel strained from the recent activity. The same straining also occurs after an intense work-out session as a professional athlete.

The good news is that massages can ease muscle tension by improving blood flow to the tissue in the area. Through strategic manipulation of muscle tissue, sore and tense areas will relax, and you'll be ready for another work-out session in no time.

How to do it

Easing the tension in sore muscles can be done both at home and by a massage therapist. It's best to consult your therapist first so they can do some in-office work and advise you on simple DIY routines that you can carry out at home.

Therapists may gently massage deep tissue to improve blood flow, manipulate delicate areas to ease stiffness and add ointment to promote comfort in sore areas.  

Benefit: Improving performance

Easing tension and soreness helps you carry out more intense workouts that boost performance. Because you'll be less likely to be sore, stiff or in pain, you can perform better and work out for longer.

How to do it

Building endurance and performance are critical goals of massage therapy. Your therapist can identify muscle groups and tissue that need to be exercised on to boost performance. Massaging tissues improves your range of motion, decreases stiffness and allows you to avoid injuries.

Benefit: Controlling inflammation

Inflamed muscles are any athlete's worst enemy. Inflammation causes discomfort, injury and limited performance. Massage therapy is one of the best ways of controlling inflammation and reducing swelling.

How to do it

In addition to the treatment your massage therapist will provide, you can use a combination of hot and cold therapy to help ease swelling. Icing sore areas of your body reduces discomfort, while heat improves blood flow and delivery of nutrients.

To learn more about methods like these, visit a physiotherapy clinic.

Share