Maybe you have big plans to run a marathon in the near future. Or maybe you’re in the habit of pushing yourself to the limit at the gym.
Regardless of your exercise and workout routine, there’s something you need to remember: the way you approach recovery is every bit as important as the way you plan for your workout.
While everyone has a different process they follow after intense exercise, it’s critical to consider the benefits of massage. Here are just a few of the many things it can do for you:
· Pain relief: Without massage therapy, your minor aches and pains are more likely to turn serious and impact you for an extended period of time. But if you get a massage shortly after your exercise, it speeds the recovery process, decreases muscle soreness, and helps your body remain pain-free.
· Improved flexibility: An intense workout can cause muscle tightness, thus resulting in pain, discomfort, and several days of rest. Massage therapy can release your muscles of tension, thus allowing you to avoid decreased flexibility and the impact on your life.
· Great way to relax: You put in a lot of work, so now it’s time to reward yourself. What better way to do so than a massage? Not only does it relax your body, but it does the same to your mind.
If you’ve yet to experiment with massage therapy after intense exercise, give it a shot the next chance you get. It’s a game-changer!
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.