Who wouldn't at this very moment kill for a nice relaxing massage with beautiful music playing in the background and not a care in the world? I must admit, I get massages nearly every day of the week. However, the massages I receive are not relaxing and they do not feel amazing. There's a reason I usually have to bite something while I get a hardcore massage from my good old physical therapist.
Since we're not talking about the kind of massage you would receive at a salon or spa, let's break down some of the basic myths and facts of massages and what they can do for your health, recovery, and injury prevention.
Massages cannot actually "push" toxins or lactic acid out of your muscles. I'm not surprised from this assumption, seeing as massages can help to rid of pain and soreness, which can be caused by the build up of lactic acid.
By applying pressure to your muscles, the fascia tissue around your muscle can do two things. First, it softens, causing those clenched muscles of yours to relax and provide oh so sweet relief. Second, the massage breaks the adhesions between your muscle and the fascia which actually restricts muscle movement, and that's not the best feeling in the world.
Massages also encourage a thirty percent increase of a gene that helps build mitochondria for cells, as well as an increase in the amount of lymphocytes, which are also known as white blood cells, that help fight infections! To take it even one step further, one massage can decrease the amount of cortisol, also known as a stress hormone that can be tied to chronic inflammation.
What is even more impressive about a massage is what one can do to help your body recover more quickly. Not only can it reduce the amount of inflammation in the massaged area, but a massage can increase recovery time by fifty to sixty percent compared to someone with no massage.
It would seem quite silly to myself to spend money on a simple massage that you could do yourself if that's all you need! As referred to in my first post, I strongly recommend the classic PVC pipe and rolling out, which can simulate a massage. If you're looking for a massage a little less painful, you may always resort to a simple foam roller or tennis ball, both of which should do the job just fine.
I find it easy also to give my shins a massage to get the blood flowing and help myself recover quickly too after a run. I feel this is self explanatory and I don't need to give an explanation.
I must say, getting a massage from my physical therapist may not be my idea of an ideal time, but the massages have made all the difference. I usually notice a massage a few days after I receive it, as most research has concluded as well. I highly recommend looking into massages if you are looking to increase recovery time and help yourself improve!
No comments:
Post a Comment