Should You Exercise After Massage Work
When is comes to the question of whether or not you can exercise after massage work, we need to consider the context and goals.
For example, is the ultimate goal for relaxation?
If simple relaxation is the goal of massage work, then it wouldn’t be recommended to exercise afterward. Relaxation is associated with increased parasympathetic nervous system activity, and exercise is generally associated with sympathetic nervous system activity. Thus, these are antagonistic concepts.
If pain relief and/or increased range of motion is the goal, then specific types of exercise or movement would be helpful after the massage work.
Let me give you an example. Let’s say your neck is limited in rotation to the right due to some muscular tension and it’s been causing discomfort. After the massage session, neck rotation is improved due to less muscle tension.
The results can be maintained by simply doing repeated neck rotations in both directions throughout the rest of the day in order to “train” the new available range of motion and get it to stick.
When you consider exercise after massage therapy, we are either talking about something very specific, like the example about neck rotation, or general exercise for the whole body.
It’s important to know the goal in order to determine the best way to approach working out after massage work.
Sam Visnic
I’ve spent my life studying the fundamental aspects of human health with a focus on movement and clinical massage therapy. In a world of specialists, surgical procedures, drugs and quick fix remedies, I’m committed to finding and developing strategies that help people stuck at the “gap”. Over the last 20 years I’ve studied dozens of systems and methodologies for uncovering the root cause of aches and pains, along with postural and movement issues. Pain science, the art and science of hands-on soft tissue massage techniques, myofascial release, and coaching movement is essential in my practice. Integrating different methods but above all deciphering WHEN to use different techniques with different people and situations, along with integration of movements that people want to be able to do again is the key to long term success with my incredible track record with clients. Understanding the various elements that contribute to conditions and the power of communication and education makes my Release Muscle Therapy program separate from other hands-on therapy approaches.
