Recovery: an important part of exercise

Many of us have experienced the notion of feeling a little worse for wear the morning after having exercised.

Our muscles ache and the simple acts of sitting down and standing up suddenly become difficult.

Exercise is an important factor in overall health and wellbeing, but in saying that, so is recovery.

Our muscles need time to recover so they can continue to perform at an optimal level.

One way in which we can aid our muscles and body in recovery post exercise is with massage.

Along with reducing recovery time, reducing muscle tension and DOMS (Delayed Onset of Muscles Soreness), which is the pain you experience when you wake up the next morning, massage works to prevent injury and promote a state of relaxation after strenuous exercise.

The sooner you receive your post exercise or event massage, the better.

However, how soon after you have your massage will also determine how your therapist treats you.

Immediately after an event to one day post an event, your massage will be shorter and lighter, as your therapist works to promote muscle relaxation.

If you’re seeking a deep tissue massage, as many who partake in strenuous exercise do, it’s best to wait up to 24 hours after.

After heavy exercise your muscles will have experienced microtrauma which ultimately results in tenderness and sensitivity, making that deep tissue massage extremely tender and painful.

So, for some of you it’s recovery time if you’ve just finished footy or netball season.

For others, wanting to get back into running, starting cricket or tennis season it’s a time to get those muscles working! Contact us at the clinic on 5255 3411 and allow us to alleviate that dreaded post event pain.

Shannon Driscoll is a senior massage therapist at The Health Creation Centre in Ocean Grove.