Stuck in the office all day? Or maybe you just finished a super-long gym session and your muscles are feeling the burn. Either way, massaging sore muscles feels good because it actually increases blood flow to the area, which helps deliver nutrients and oxygen to the muscle fibers. It also reduces stress hormones that accumulate during exercise, as well as histamine, which is released when your body has an allergic reaction to something like pollen or dust mites.
Massaging your muscles can help with the pain and discomfort that you might be feeling. It might not make it go away completely, but it can definitely make it feel better.
Everyone knows that a good massage feels great after an intense workout, but what about sore muscles from another day at the gym? Or even sore muscles from another day at any other activity? The answer is not only because it’s relaxing, but there are also scientific reasons why. Massaging your sore muscles helps break up knots in the muscle called "trigger points" and these trigger points are actually tiny little creatures called nerve endings. A lot of activities can lead to developing trigger points including running, jogging, and weight lifting – basically anything that puts stress on your muscles.
Working out can leave you feeling sore, tired, and maybe even a little bit numb. But that’s not all it leaves you with. Soreness can be a sign that your workout had the desired effect and that you pushed your body to new limits or perhaps even past them. That being said, soreness after working out is usually not anyone’s favorite part of it. It can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. That’s why after a workout most people reach for some kind of muscle-soothing product or technique like massage. But why exactly does massaging sore muscles feel good? There are actually several answers to this question.
How Can Massaging Sore Muscles Feel So Good?
You experience a boost in the production of proteins and anti-inflammatory compounds that protect your muscles from being overworked and injured. When your muscles are treated with heat or pressure, muscle fibers release substances called endorphins that reduce pain and lower stress and anxiety levels.
Massage can improve circulation and flexibility and help break up adhesions and scar tissue in your muscles. It also helps release chemicals called neurotransmitters that enhance mood and help you sleep. When you release the toxins in your muscles and encourage blood flow, you help promote healthy muscle tissue, recover faster and prevent injuries.
Whenever you exercise, you are putting stress on your muscles, which can cause sore muscles. This happens because your muscles are expanding, they get a little bit bigger, and they might start to tear a little bit. It's normal to be a little bit sore after a workout. But if you are really sore and you have that kind of pain that makes it hard to move, that's when you should start thinking about massaging it.
Why Massaging Sore Muscles Feels Good?
When you massage sore muscles, you open up your blood vessels and allow more blood flow to reach the area and deliver nutrients and oxygen. This can also help drain fluid and reduce swelling in the area. When you massage sore muscles, you also stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for filtering your body's toxins. This can help reduce soreness and any pain from buildup in your muscles.
Massaging sore muscles can help ease pain and discomfort, and it also stimulates blood flow, which can help your muscles recover faster. When you massage sore muscles, you're generally targeting trigger points or areas of muscle that are hyper-sensitive or painful. You will feel a lot better after a muscle massage, especially when it comes to soreness.
What is a Trigger Point Massage?
This type of massage is focused on treating knots in your muscles – referred to as “knots” or “trigger points” – that cause severe pain and tension. These knots form when your muscles are overworked and become very stiff and contracted. This can lead to headaches, back pain, sciatic pain, and joint pain. Trigger point massage is a form of self-massage used to address these knots.
If you have sensitive skin, you can do this with a tennis ball or golf ball wrapped in a towel. If you have trigger points in your muscles, you can try lightly pressing on the area with your fingers or a tennis ball. If you have tennis elbow, you can use a tennis ball or golf ball to massage your forearm muscles.
A trigger point massage is a specific massage technique that aims to locate and release trigger points in tight, contracted muscles. If you have ever experienced an ache in your muscles that will not go away, then you have probably experienced muscle knots. These knots are often caused by overuse of a muscle or by muscles that have shortened due to injury, stress, or poor posture. When you massage a muscle with knots, you are generally targeting these trigger points. Doing so can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with them.
Benefits of Massaging Sore Muscles
1. It promotes blood flow. Massaging sore muscles helps blood flow to the area, which brings necessary nutrients and oxygen to help speed up the healing process.
2. It reduces stress hormones. Massaging releases chemicals that can help lower stress hormones, such as cortisol and dopamine.
3. It helps relieve muscle pain. Massaging sore muscles can help ease and relieve the pain that comes from overexertion.
4. It can improve the range of motion. Massaging can help increase your range of motion and mobility, which can be helpful after sustaining an injury.
5. It can aid in muscle recovery. Massaging sore muscles can help speed up the recovery process by bringing blood flow to the area and flushing out lactic acid and other metabolites that can cause pain and cramping.
6. It can help with insomnia. The benefits of massaging sore muscles can also help you sleep better, which is important for overall health and wellness.
7. It can help improve athletic performance. Massaging can be beneficial for athletes and people who engage in high-intensity activities because it can help reduce pain, boost blood flow to the muscles, and reduce muscle spasms.
8. It can improve your mood. Massaging a sore muscle can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed.
9. It can improve your range of motion. Massaging can help increase your range of motion and mobility, which can be helpful after sustaining an injury.
How to Give Yourself a Massage at Home?
You don't need to head to a spa or pay for a professional massage to get the benefits of massage. All you need are basic tools and techniques you can use in the comfort of your home. Here are a few tips on how you can give yourself a massage at home:
1. You can do this whenever your muscles feel sore or tight.
2. You can also use massage to warm up before a workout or sporting event to help reduce your risk of injuries.
3. To start, place a little bit of oil or lotion on your skin and start to massage the sore muscles. - Use smooth and even strokes in a circular or up-and-down motion.
4. Try massaging in different directions to see which way is more effective.
5. Use enough pressure to feel good but not too much that you're hurting yourself.
6. Relax and breathe slowly as you massage.
7. Keep your muscles relaxed and be mindful of your posture.
8. Try to break up your work throughout the day.
9. If you are suffering from chronic pain, massage could help relieve some of your symptoms.
What Types of Massage Help Sore Muscles?
There are many types of massages that can help relieve sore muscles. These include:
1. Swedish massage - This massage is all about relaxation and can help reduce stress, and anxiety and help you sleep better.
2. Trigger point massage - This massage targets the knots in your muscles and is used to help promote flexibility and relieve pain.
3. Hot stone massage - This massage uses heated stones to help melt away stress and tension.
4. Sports massage - This type of massage can be done by a professional and is geared towards athletes to help prevent injuries and recover faster.
5. Neck massage - This massage can help reduce headaches, migraines, and other types of pain in your neck.
6. Deep tissue massage - Deep tissue massage targets deep knots in the muscle tissue, helping to break down scar tissue that has built up. This type of massage can be quite painful, but the pain is generally described as a good kind of pain because it can help relieve muscle soreness.
7. Bottom-to-toe massage - This massage targets the whole body, including the muscles and joints. It's a great way to treat yourself after a long week and is a good way to warm up for exercise or stretching.
8. Couple's massage - A massage can be a great way to relax and connect with your partner. Choose a massage that is tailored to two people, such as a bottom-to-toe massage.
Massaging Sore Muscles After Workout
If you just got done with a tough workout, you’re probably feeling all the aches and pains that come along with it. However, that doesn’t mean you have to live with it – you can actually do something about it! When you massage your muscles, you can help improve your blood flow, break down stiff and tense muscles and help prevent injuries. This can actually help you recover faster so you don’t have to feel as sore the next day. If you have a lot of time, a deep-tissue massage can really help your sore muscles. However, you can also try a self-massage. An easy way to do this is to use a deep tissue massage gun or tennis ball.
A Deep Tissue Massage Will Help You Feel Good and Benefit Your Sore Muscles
A deep tissue massage is great if you have a lot of knots in your muscles. It can help break up and release these knots, which can help you recover faster and reduce pain and headaches. It can also help improve your flexibility. When you decide to get a deep tissue massage, make sure you find a professional who has experience with this type of massage. They know where to go and what pressure to use. There are also self-massage kits that you can use at home.
Deep tissue massage is best for those looking to target extremely tense or sore areas. A deep tissue massage can help break up scarring, relieve chronic pain, decrease joint inflammation and improve range of motion. It can help to ease tension and promote relaxation, as well as improve blood flow.
A deep tissue massage is generally more intense than a Swedish massage and is good for those who experience a lot of muscle tension and have lots of knots in their muscles. It is generally recommended to address all of the muscles in your body, but you can ask your massage therapist to focus on your hard-to-reach areas, such as the back, the legs, and the shoulders.
3 Tips for Giving Yourself a Sore Muscle Massage
If you’re self-treating a sore muscle, try to mimic the motions of a professional massage to help ease your pain. To do this, use your hands to gently squeeze and push the muscle in small, firm movements. Start from the top of the muscle and slowly push your hands toward the bottom. Push hard enough that it causes a little bit of discomfort, but not so much that it’s painful. You can also use a heating pad or ice pack to soothe your muscles.
1. Find the knot - If you’re unsure where all the knots are, you can use a massage app to help guide you.
2. Try out different types of massage - Not all massage types are the same. There are specific benefits to each, so try a few types to see what works best for you.
3. Breathe - Just remember to breathe and be mindful of your body as you massage.
You can soothe your sore muscles with a self-massage. It may seem strange, but it actually works. You can use a foam roller, a tennis ball, or your hands to massage your muscles. The pressure from these items will help relieve your sore muscles. You can also try a warm bath, heat packs, or a cold compress for your sore muscles.
Pro Tip:
While massaging your muscles, keep your movements slow and controlled. Move your hands or the item you’re using up and down the length of the muscle, and then come back in an arc.
Where to put pressure:
For your upper body, put pressure on the tops of your shoulders, your chest, and your traps (the muscles at the top of your shoulders). For your lower body, put pressure on your quads, your glutes, and your calves.
Self-massage With a Percussion Massage Gun
Percussion massage guns use vibration and pressure to massage your muscles. They can come with different attachments such as a tennis ball, a roller ball, or a knuckleball. They are effortless to use and can be used on all parts of the body, including your back and neck.
If you have a lot of knots in your muscles, a percussion massage gun can help relieve the pain and tension in those areas. It can also help increase blood flow to the muscles, which can help promote faster recovery.
Percussion massage guns use vibration technology to help loosen up muscles and promote blood flow, much like a deep tissue massage. They work by creating a percussive massage effect with little balls that move back and forth to deliver rhythmic pressure to the tissue of the muscles. The massage guns are very convenient to use at home and you can help yourself with normal pains in the back of the legs. You can find a percussion massage gun in any pharmacy and they are pretty cheap, so you can easily treat yourself with one and reduce muscle pain with a self-massage.
If you experience muscle pain after a long workout and your muscles feel stiff, a massage can be a great way to relieve the pain and discomfort of sore muscles. Whether you get a massage at a spa or give yourself a massage at home, you can help decrease muscle pain and promote blood flow. A massage can help you feel better and be more relaxed.
Conclusion
Massaging your sore muscles is a great way to help promote faster recovery and prevent injuries. There are many types of massages that can help you feel good. Whether you go to a spa or do it yourself, massages are a great way to relieve sore muscles and get you feeling good again.