Everyone knows the benefits of exercise and staying active. Anyone who routinely takes part in physical activity, whether it be playing a few rounds of golf, working in the garden, or pushing physical limits through sports, strength training or aerobics, can benefit from a massage. The added physiological and psychological benefits of massage also add to the reasons to make it part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Here are six ways massage can benefit active people:
1. Massage Promotes Relaxation
Stress is a normal part of life, but prolonged stress can cause health problems such as digestive symptoms, headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, and irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or the common cold. Stress reduction is one of the most well-established effects of massage therapy. Research suggests that massage therapy can reduce anxiety, induce relaxation, and relieve stress. The immediate effects of a massage are more complete sleep, better appetite, less fatigue, and a better mood.
2. Massage Reduces Muscle Tension
Hypertonicity is an increased tension of the muscles, meaning the muscle tone is abnormally rigid. Hypertonicity is the result of overworked muscles that lose their ability to relax. This causes chronically tight, sore muscles, and loss of flexibility. Massage therapy such as deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy can release tight muscles to relieve pain and soreness.
3. Massage Increases Range of Motion
Lack of flexibility is often linked to muscle soreness, and predisposes you to injuries, especially muscle pulls and tears. Decreased range of motion is the result of your body trying to protect itself from further damage by limiting movement. Massage therapy can help restore the full range of motion by easing muscle tension and swelling.
4. Massage Improves Performance
Massage is important because it helps you get into good shape faster with less stiffness and soreness, allowing you to push your body harder. Massage helps the body recover from the stresses of strenuous exercise and facilitates the rebuilding phase of conditioning. Perhaps the most important thing is that massage can help prevent injuries that will set you back or prevent you from doing the activities you enjoy.
5. Massage Reduces Pain
Twenty-six percent (26%) of Americans age 20 years and over, an estimated 76.5 million people, report that they have had a problem with pain that persisted for more than 24 hours in duration. Pain can occur for a variety of reasons but you don’t just have to put up with it or take increasing amounts of medication in order to control it. Massage helps to relieve and reduce pain and is relaxing both physically and mentally.
6. Regular Massage May Help Prevent Injuries
Regular massage for maintenance can zero in on particular muscle groups and work on specific issues to help maintain or improve range of motion and muscle flexibility. The objective of a maintenance massage program is to help you reach optimal performance through injury-free training. A massage therapist can also complement treatment received from other healthcare professionals for various injuries. Massage for injury rehabilitation can speed healing and reduce discomfort during the healing and rebuilding process.
Make massage part of your wellness and fitness routine. Not only will your muscles feel better, but you will get all the benefits of relaxation. Regular massage will let you push yourself a little harder with fewer injuries. Take advantage of massage to get in shape faster and keep doing the activities you like without pain or soreness. Call today for an appointment.
