Massage supports a well-defined bodybuilding physique by increasing circulation and improving muscle tone. Damaged and tight muscle tissues do not hold blood well, resulting in diminished muscle tone. An experienced masseur or masseuse will use a pumping technique to move fluid through blood vessels and lymph nodes.
Regular massage therapy can improve your range of motion and increase your muscle tone and flexibility -- all key for bodybuilding. It also reduces your recovery time by increasing circulation to promote healing.
While massage itself doesn't directly stimulate muscle growth, its positive impact on recovery and performance can contribute to an environment conducive to muscle development. Combining massage with proper nutrition and exercise remains essential for optimal muscle growth.
Reduced muscle stiffness and tension: A 2021 study suggests that even a quick massage can reduce the perception of muscle tightness. “When your muscles are more relaxed, you can move more freely and with a better range of motion,” Goodrich says. “This can lead to smoother, more efficient movements during your workout.”
Massage can indirectly support muscle growth by enhancing blood circulation, reducing muscle tension, and promoting overall relaxation. Improved blood flow facilitates nutrient delivery to muscles, aiding in recovery and growth.
The result is quicker muscle repair and growth, making massage an essential recovery tool for anyone looking to build muscle mass or maintain strength. For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, regular massage therapy can speed up the recovery process between workouts, enabling consistent training and improved performance.
As your body develops, you might hear all sorts of rumors, like touching or massaging breasts makes them grow. That's not true. There's plenty of wrong information out there about breast development. Some are cons, like creams or pills that claim to make breasts bigger (they don't).
Massage is a very effective restorative modality, but for most weightlifters is prohibitively expensive. However, even infrequent massage is better than none, although regularity even with infrequency will improve its effectiveness. Massage 1-3 times per week is ideal, but once monthly is still far better than never.
An acute injury is a sudden, sharp, traumatic injury that causes pain. Typically the result of an impact or trauma such as a fall, strain, sprain or collision. Massage shouldn't be performed on the injured site because it encourages circulation and can increase swelling during the body's initial response to injury.
Body contouring massage utilizes various techniques to reshape the body's structure, primarily focusing on reducing fat and improving skin elasticity. Techniques like lymphatic drainage massage help eliminate toxins, while others, such as ultrasonic cavitation, target fat cells directly.
Scientists also believe another reason for this increased muscle strength is that massage encourages the muscles to build mitochondria within the body's cells. Mitochondria take nutrients from the blood into the cells and turn and convert it into energy that each cell needs to perform its function.
You might not be lifting weights, but massage is like a mild form of exercise because of the manipulation of your muscles.
The short answer is yes. Depending on how tight your muscles are and how much pain you can handle, the amount of pressure a massage needs varies not only by person but also by session. It's important to know how much pressure is required because it can make all the difference between a good and a bad massage!
We have consistently demonstrated that although massage may impart beneficial adaptations in skeletal muscle during disuse atrophy and during recovery from atrophy, it does not cause muscle growth when applied to unperturbed, homeostatic muscle (11,12,62).
The skin rashes that are contagious or sensitive should not be massaged. A sunburn is also contraindicated for massage therapy, and the sunburn should be healed first. If you have uncontrolled inflammation you may not want to get a massage.
It can alleviate male-specific heart problems
This is because men possess a greater cardiac mass, and also tend to have more stress that results in diabetes and hypertension. How can massage help? A massage relaxes the body, boosts your circulation and lowers levels of cortisol — the stress hormone.
The recovery process is crucial for weightlifters and bodybuilders. Sports massage aids muscle recovery by increasing blood flow and reducing muscle soreness. By incorporating massage therapy into their routine, athletes can train harder and more frequently while minimizing the risk of burnout and fatigue.
These are areas of the body where deep, sustained pressure should be avoided because of the structures that lie beneath. Those areas are the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, suprasternal notch, sternum, axilla, spinal column, umbilical area, inguinal triangle, popliteal fossa, and the antecubital fossa.
The first rule of massage therapy is to ensure the comfort and safety of the client. This includes creating a comfortable and relaxing environment, using proper techniques and pressure, and communicating effectively with the client to ensure that they are comfortable with the massage.
Combining Both: Many bodybuilders find that a combination of both sport and deep tissue massage offers the most benefits. This approach provides the best of both worlds, addressing immediate muscle needs while also focusing on long-term muscle health and recovery.
For example, the average time frame for a full-body stress relief massage is around every 5 weeks. Another thing to take into account is how often you use your body. Athletes and active people will probably require more frequent visits -around every 2-3 weeks or even less if they have a strain or particular tension.
If you prioritize injury prevention, increased range of motion, and mental preparation, a pre-workout sports massage might be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you're focused on muscle recovery, relaxation, and injury rehabilitation, a post-workout massage may be more beneficial.
In conclusion, while massage therapy may not directly burn fat like exercise does, it can still play a role in supporting your weight loss goals through improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, enhanced flexibility, and lowered stress levels.