by Kaleigh Richards |
With the changing season and warm weather upon us, there is a tendency for people to push their body beyond what it is prepared for. Muscles that are pushed too far too soon tend to become very sore. The cause of this soreness is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). DOMS occurs as a result of micro-tearing in the muscle fibers.
It is very important to prepare the body for any new or more frequent activities that it will endure. The muscles in the body respond to the increase in activity with increased pain and aching.
This causes an inflammatory response, resulting in pain and tightness in the affected muscle. Preparation for physical activities includes stretching before, during and after each activity.
If you experience the pain and tightness associated with DOMS, try decreasing your symptoms with massage therapy. Deep tissue massage can help reduce the swelling that occurs within muscles. Incorporating massage therapy into a training regimen helps to prevent injuries, as well as increasing healing time upon having an injury. Sports massage incorporates a combination of techniques which help to increase circulation,
improve flexibility, reduce stress, and improve overall well being.
Just as it is important to prepare the body for physical activity, it is crucial to find time for rest and relaxation. After being active, the body needs time to recuperate. A therapeutic massage is very effective in mending and soothing sore muscles.
Whether someone is training as a professional cyclist or simply working in the garden, it is important to include body preparation and recuperation into one’s daily regime.
References:
- www.ehow.com/about_4565942_sports-massages.html
- www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/domos.html
