Massage and Exercise: Gain flexibility and reduce sore muscles

Summer is slowly but surely arriving in Bemidji. With the warm sun and cool breezes coming off the lakes, makes it the perfect time to start enjoying activities outdoors. Some prefer blazing the hundreds of miles of trails in our area on their feet, rollerblades, bikes, or trikes. While others take to the water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. Not to mention all the fun games you can play with friends, like beach volleyball, golf or group fitness classes at local parks.
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Physical activity can offer multiple life enhancing benefits, and by the sounds of it, being active should not be a challenge with all the opportunities that are around. Shockingly, not nearly enough people are partaking in the simple steps toward a healthier lifestyle.  

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than half (48%) of all adults meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines. Adults only need at least 2.5 hours a week of physical activity. Not only that, but less than 3 in 10 high school students get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Physical activity can improve health. People who are physically active tend to live longer and have lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Physical activity can also help with weight control, and may improve academic achievement in students. Inactive adults have a higher risk for early death, heart disease, stroke, depression, and some cancers.

With the anticipation of the changing weather, people often get excited about getting outside. Feeling optimistic, many people rush into their activities, going the extra mile without taking the preventative steps to physical activity which can lead to minor injuries, aches, and pains. However, there is no need to discontinue exercise because of this. There are many benefits of massage that can help during exercise for injury prevention as well as restoration if an injury occurs. 

Paul Scholl, Nationally Certified Therapist in Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB) at Living Touch Massage, explains some of the benefits of massage for exercise and injury prevention.

1. Reduced chance of injury by improving body functions and muscle flexibility
2. Athletes notice better results and increased performance.
3. Shortened recovery time between workouts.
4. Maximizes the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow and the elimination of lactic acid in the muscle (by-products of exercise).

Living Touch Massage offers many different massage techniques that can increase flexibility, improve sports performance, restore and recover muscle with injuries or just between workouts, and improves overall energy. “Massage is good to pair with exercise. It can help increase flexibility in the joints, making a new exercise routine a little easier to begin,” says Scholl.

Living Touch Massage offers a light and relaxing therapeutic massage that releases knots, improves muscle function and restoration and recovery from injury. Using myofascial release, muscles often relax while circulation increases which stimulates the stretch reflex of muscles. This technique would be ideal for minor aches and pains in muscles after walking or running, or perhaps a relieving a knot in your shoulder after paddling a canoe.

Living Touch Massage also offers deep and restorative massage services like a myofasical massage and a Thai medical massage.

Deep tissue massage is for those who exercise more heavily than others, when their muscles can become chronically tight. It can improve overall health of the muscles which enhances sports performance as well as restoration and recovery from injuries.  Massage can enable the body to rebuild muscles after continued exercise. For anyone who is training for a particle event such as a triathlon or a 5k this could be very beneficial to them as well as anyone who simple enjoys exercising daily.

A Thai medical massage is a type of massage that is relaxing, improves flexibility and overall energy. If you are feeling drained or unable to perform the required motions of an activity, Thai medical massage could help by using acupressure points in combination with muscle stretching.

If you are a seasoned athlete or just a beginner, let Living Touch Massage help you stay active this summer. Simply call or text Living Touch Massage today to book an appointment at (218) 368-2963.

References: Center for Disease Control and Prevention- www.cdc.gov