HOW MASSAGE HELPS
RECOVERY.
Therapeutic massage helps the body recover from the stresses
of strenuous exercise, and facilitates the rebuilding phase of
conditioning. The physiological benefits of massage include
improved blood and lymph circulation, muscle relaxation, and
general relaxation. These in turn lead to removal of waste
products and better cell nutrition, normalization and greater
elasticity of tissues, deactivation of trigger points, and faster
healing of injuries. It all adds up to relief from soreness and
stiffness, better flexibility, and less potential for future injury.
In addition to general recovery, massage may also focus on
specific muscles used in a sport or fitness activity.
For example, areas of greater stress for runners and dancers
are in the legs; for swimmers in the upper body; and for tennis
players, in the arms. These areas are more likely to be tight,
lose flexibility, and develop trigger points.
OVERTRAINING.
Adequate recovery is also a major factor in avoiding the
overtraining syndrome. Overtraining is characterized by
irritability, apathy, altered appetite, increased frequency
of injury, increased resting heart rate, and insomnia.
It occurs when the body is not allowed to recover adequately
between bouts of heavy exercise. Therapeutic massage
helps you avoid overtraining by facilitating recovery through
general relaxation, and its other psychological effects.
TROUBLE SPOTS.
You may also have your own unique trouble spots, perhaps
from past injuries. A massage therapist can pay special
attention to these areas, monitor them for developing
problems, and help keep them in good condition.
An experienced massage therapist can also compliment
treatment received from other health care professionals
for various injuries.
