Can Massage reduce muscle damage following sport

Massage reduces muscle damage and pain in athletes

At many sporting events and professional sporting clubs therapeutic massage is available for most sporting participants. Most people having a massage report that it is relaxing and helps with muscle stiffness. But I am often asked  is there any other proven befits and is massage a good idea after heavy exercise such as running and cycling?

The answer to this question is yes, therapeutic #massage given by qualified and accredited therapists has been found in many published clinical studies to have a number of physical and mental benefits.

Reduction in muscle damage

One study (Sci Transl Med. 2012 Feb 1;4(119) found that massage giving after #exercise reduces muscle damage when administered to skeletal muscle that has been acutely damaged through exercise, massage therapy appears to be clinically beneficial by reducing inflammation and promoting muscle repair.

Improves muscle movement and pain reduction

Other studies have reported a reduction in muscle stiffness and pain following massage. Moreover, the pain relief after massage in delayed onset muscle soreness correlated with improved walking. The results suggest that the massage on gastrocnemius after onset of pain has influence on pain and walking performance. Therefore, massage can be applied as intervention for delayed onset muscle soreness. (J Exerc Rehabil. 2014 Apr 30;10(2):136-40)

Lowers blood pressure

A recent Meta-analysis reported that massage significantly lowered blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure and or pre-hypertension conditions ( J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2014 Nov 21)

The bottom line is massage is relaxing helps prevent muscle damage and promote muscle repair and improve flexibility and movement.

#running #triathlon #muscle  #pain