Massage for Muscle Recovery
Summer is the time of year when many of us spend a great deal of our time outdoors enjoying our favorite activities. Gardening, kayaking, biking, running, walking, swimming – they all are fun ways to get outdoors and enjoy the lovely weather, and they are good for us! However, sometimes enjoying them can be a pain—a pain in the neck, shoulders, legs, etc.!
A massage is a terrific way to work through muscle tension that we may encounter after strenuous exercise and work. Massage relaxes the body, feels terrific, helps with inflammation, improves blood flow, reduces muscle tightness, and enhances muscle performance.
Many people take medication to ease soreness and eliminate swelling for aching muscles. The inflammation (an immune reaction) is actually the body’s way of repairing injured cells due to tiny tears in muscle fibers caused during strenuous exercise; therefore, medication can inhibit recovery. Recent research (published in the 2/1/2012 issue of Science Translational Medicine) shows that massage can aid in reducing inflammation and enhance cell function to actually repair cells unlike medication.
There are many different types of massage techniques, and our massage therapists work with you to meet your needs. A deep tissue massage focuses on the area in which you are experiencing pain to give you maximum relief. Adhesions (or bands of sore tissue) are massaged to reduce inflammation, restore proper blood circulation, and create better movement. Massage also acts as a preventative to enhance your physical activities because it targets those muscles which you use frequently!
In addition to these physical benefits, massage therapy stimulates the nervous system that release endorphins and assist in pain relief. Massage allows relaxation of mind and tensed-up muscles which provides relief, and can speed up recovery time – allowing you to get back to the activities that you enjoy!
Give CNY Healing Arts Centers a call and let our massage therapists give you the relief you need!
Syracuse:
195 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205
315.671.5755
Albany:
38A Old Sparrowbush Road, Latham, NY 12110
518.724.5750
Rochester:
2244 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
585.244.1280 ext. 2