After a good workout, many of us think of refuelling our body with healthy food and protein shakes, but did you know that a post-workout massage is just as important in order for our bodies to recover fully? Studies have shown that its benefits include reducing inflammation, injury prevention and so much more.

If you often experience prolonged muscle soreness after an exercise session, read on to find out why a post-workout massage is essential for you.

1. Toxins Release

One major benefit that massages bring is to release toxins from your system naturally. Massages have been found to help increase lymph flow, which assists in eliminating harmful substances from tissues in the body. Moreover, a massage can promote enhanced circulation which helps the body eliminate wastes and toxic substances as the blood carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs.

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2. Muscle Recovery

If you are training for a marathon, or frequently run long distances, getting a massage may help improve muscle recovery for your legs. Massages are a good way to relieve aches or pain induced from sports and help to heal your muscles for your next workout. It has been found that massages reduce the production of cytokines which contribute to inflammation in the body. In fact, just 10 minutes of massage after a session of exercise can be promising for muscle recovery as it reduces inflammation in the muscle. Thus, massages can be a great way to help you recuperate from any physical pain along the way.

3. Better Circulation

Having a quick foot massage, for example, can also promote overall blood circulation in the body. With millions of nerves linked to our feet, massages that target vital reflexology points is akin to getting a whole body massage, which may go a long way in improving your health. The pressure created by the massage pushes more blood through your body’s congested areas and allows “new” blood to flow in, creating better circulation throughout your entire body.

Having a healthy circulation of blood throughout the body ensures that essential nutrients and oxygen reaches your muscles and tissues effectively, which is why a post-workout massage is highly recommended for a speedy recovery. Improved blood circulation in the body also reduces the chances of elevated blood pressure in the long run.

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4. Improved Flexibility

Ever felt your muscles tighten up after completing a jog or a workout? That’s because our muscles tense up when they’re under physical stress from your session. Besides simply stretching, a massage can help to apply the right pressure to these areas and help loosen any tight knots and improve our body’s flexibility in the long run. For example, you can benefit from a massage on your hamstrings after a marathon to loosen the muscle and improve your endurance as well.

For targeted massages, certain massage chairs do come with dual tracks. This new technology consists of 2 sets of rollers that are capable of massaging your back and thighs simultaneously, giving you twice the amount of effectiveness and level of comfort.

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5. A Better Night's Sleep

A good night’s sleep can give you a ton of benefits -- not only does it restore your brain’s function to keep you alert throughout the day, but sleep also produces growth hormones and stimulates protein synthesis which aids in muscle recovery.

If your post-workout adrenaline rush and or aches are keeping you awake, perhaps a massage can help. Think of it as a well-deserved reward for working hard each day, or as a step towards taking care of your well-being. A massage right before bed can help you relax and improve your night’s sleep so you can wake up feeling less fatigued and ready to conquer your next day of workouts!

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Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just looking for a better night’s sleep, you can benefit more from investing in a massage chair, or a leg massager, as they are both convenient and economical. These added luxuries in the home can provide instant relief to your aches and pains, and even save you the hassle of scheduling an appointment with a massage therapist.

5 Reasons Why You Need A Post-Exercise Massage

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