Muscle injuries are more common now than they were 50 years ago. That's not because we're exercising harder. It's because we're more sedentary. What's worse, as we age our joints tend to tighten, making range of motion and flexibility even more restricted.
Massage therapy is a beneficial treatment for maintaining and improving flexibility and motion. By working on muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and joints, regular massage can improve your flexibility and range of motion, keeping your joints more fluid and making them less injury prone.
As you can see, massage is a great way to relax stressed muscles, stimulate blood flow and improve flexibility. So is daily stretching.
One benefit of stretching is an improvement of blood circulation, which aids in illness recovery and disease prevention. Elongating muscles will also improve posture and your joints' range of motion. Stretching and massage are even more critical for someone who is physically active. Loose muscles are less prone to strains and sprains during a workout, according to ACE.
Incorporating massage and stretching into a fitness routine also will help reduce soreness after a workout. Stretching beforehand will allow greater freedom of movement when exercising and more extended workout periods because it helps prevent a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. Regular post-workout massages can then aid in the recovery and relaxation process.
Benefits of Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion
Stimulates the production of the body's natural lubricants to keep flexibility at a maximum
Can enhance athletic performance
Helps prevent active lifestyle injuries by staying flexible.