5 Ways Massage is Like Exercise

​Though massage will not make your sweat or increase your heartbeat, there are a lot of similarities between them. When exercising, you’ll get tired and there are times when you’ll not enjoy it at all. For a professional massage, all you need is to lie on the massage table and leave the rest to the massage therapist. Despite these multiple differences, there are notable similarities between the two such as:
1. You Need to do it Frequently and Consistently
To get the most out of exercising, you need to attend frequent sessions and remain consistent for a long period. You cannot expect to achieve your body goals if you exercise today and then stay for over six months without exercising.
Massage works in the same way as exercise.  If you only get a massage when you are suffering from severe pains, you may not benefit much from it. You need to arrange your massage sessions frequently, not going when you need some relief.
2. You Need to Take Plenty of Water Before and After
When you get a massage, the toxins that had accumulated in the muscles will get released into the bloodstream. You need to take plenty of water to help in getting rid of the toxins.
When exercising, you need to take plenty of water to keep you going. You also need to take a lot of water afterward to replace the water you lost when exercising.
3. The Benefits
Massage and exercise have multiple similarities when it comes to the benefits you’ll get afterward. Here are some of these benefits:

• increase in blood circulation
• Lowers the blood pressure
• Increase in lymphatic circulation
• Increase in flexibility
• Helps in relaxing the nerves
• Reduces fat deposits
• Tones the muscles
• Improves proprioception
• Manages depression and anxiety

4. You’ll Only Get Maximum Benefits if You Pay Attention to Your Therapist
To get the most of massage therapy and exercise, you need to follow all the instructions given. When you are advised to take plenty of water or any other instruction, follow it to the latter. Failing to follow will deny you of the benefits you’d have achieved when exercising or getting the massage.
5. You Need to be in Good Shape Before Engaging in Both
There are some conditions that would deny you the chance of getting a massage until your condition is improved. For instance, if you have a skin disease, the massage therapist will advise you to wait until your condition improved to get a massage.
Similarly, if you have an injury, your physical trainer will advise you to wait until your injury is healed or your condition improves.
6. You Need the Help of a Professional
Not everyone that claims to be a massage therapist or a physical trainer is a perfect fit for you. There is a need to ensure that the massage therapist or the physical trainer you’ll be working with is a professional. When you walk into a massage spa, seek to know the training of the massage therapist. You can also check out the feedback from previous clients to know if he is good at what he does.
7. You can choose to either engage in rigorous physical exercise or simple stretching
When you go to the gym, you can choose to either get into an intense exercise or stick to simple and less stressful exercises. This will depend on how fit you feel on that day since there are days you just feel like taking it slow.
For massage therapy, you also have a chance to choose the massage technique that works best for you. You can go for the deep tissue massage or ask the massage therapist to make it soft. With this, you’ll get maximum benefits from your massage therapy.
When it comes to both massage and exercise, communication is important. If you are not open with your therapist, the chances of not getting the most from it are very high. If the massage therapist is using too much force or there are areas you wouldn’t want him to massage, speak up.
Can You Get Massage and Exercise at the Same Time?
To stress how important it is to engage in both massage therapy and exercise, most professional massage spas will also have a gym. You need to create time to get a massage and time for exercising as well.

• When you get a massage, it will improve your blood flow and this will enhance your physical performance. Getting a massage will also help in strengthening your muscles and make you less susceptible to injuries.
• After exercise, your muscles are sore and you need something that will help to ease the pain. Massage therapy is an effective way of getting rid of the pain that resulted from exercising. You can book your massage appointment weekly or as you’ll agree with your massage therapist.
• Exercising will help you to keep fit in between your massage appointments. It will help in maintaining your flexibility and will also prevent building up of fat deposits in your body.
• Massage therapy will help to tone and strengthen your muscles which is a great way to get ready for a physical exercise. With this, you’ll be less likely to suffer from injuries resulting from any physical activity.

Massage therapy is one of the best ways to recover from strenuous physical activity. Whether it is after a sporting activity or after a long day at the office, you need a good massage. It will help in relieving tension in your muscles and make you feel refreshed. However, you need to ensure that the massage therapist is a professional.
It is also important to check the feedback from people that have received massage therapy from a massage spa before confirming your appointment. With this, you’ll have the assurance that you’ll reap maximum benefits from your massage. When you feel too tired to engage in a physical exercise, book a massage and you’ll feel a lot better. It will also help you to prepare for your next session at the gym.

The Spa and Lash Studio Clearfield
 
 

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