Why Athletes Should Incorporate Remedial Massage into Their Recovery Routine

Recovery routines will differ for every single person – some modalities work really well for some people where others won’t see as many benefits. But, one recovery tool we would recommend everyone try is remedial massage.

Remedial massage can do wonders for your recovery. Differing from a standard relaxation massage, remedial massage is a type of massage therapy that is designed to improve your athletic performance, speed up your recovery time and prevent injuries. In this weeks blog, we’re going to go through a few benefits you’ll see from starting regular remedial massage sessions.

Relieve Muscle Tension and Soreness

High intensity physical activity often leads to muscle tightness and soreness due to the build-up of lactic acid and microscopic muscle damage. Remedial massage works deeply on muscles, targeting tight or damaged areas. By using specialised techniques such as deep tissue massage or trigger point therapy, remedial massage helps release muscle knots, flush out lactic acid, and improve overall muscle elasticity. This leads to faster recovery and relief from post-workout discomfort.

Enhance Flexibility and Range of Motion

Regular training can sometimes cause muscles to become tight and reduce joint mobility, which can increase the risk of injury. Remedial massage helps maintain and improve flexibility by releasing tension in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, allowing athletes to maintain a full range of motion. This is particularly beneficial in sports that require a lot of dynamic movement, like running, swimming, or weightlifting.

Improve Circulation and Speeds Up Healing

Remedial boosts blood circulation. Improved circulation means better oxygen and nutrient delivery to fatigued muscles, accelerating the repair process. It also helps remove metabolic waste from the muscles, speeding up recovery and reducing muscle soreness (DOMS).

Prevent Injuries

Incorporating remedial massage into your recovery routine can help prevent future injuries. By addressing muscle imbalances, tightness, and areas of weakness, massage therapists can detect and treat small issues before they become bigger problems. Regular sessions help maintain muscle health and reduce the likelihood of overuse injuries.

Relaxation and Mental Recovery

Beyond the physical benefits, remedial massage also promotes relaxation and stress relief. Athletes often deal with high levels of stress and mental fatigue from rigorous training and competition. Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging relaxation, lowering cortisol levels, and helping athletes recover mentally.

It’s important to note that while you’ll most likely notice some immediate improvements after your first session, to get the most out of remedial massage it’s recommended to go in for consistent sessions. The optimal time in between sessions will differ for each person, but we generally suggest booking in every 3 to 6 weeks.

Matt is our in house remedial massage therapist at STAR. You can book in for sessions with him below –

·      Book a 30 minute session

·      Book a 45 minute session

·      Book a 1 hour session