Skip to main content

Massage post exercise

I'm not sure what to make of this one.

Massage impairs postexercise muscle blood flow and “lactic Acid” removal

The implication is that postexercise massage of the swedish - effleurage and pétrissage - style is not to be advised.

The bodywork that I get is generally not post-exercise for the purpose of recovery. Rather it is trying to address specific spasms, cramps, trigger points or problem movement patterns.
Labels:

Comments

Lynn Hahn said…
That is confusing. It wasn't a very wide spectrum test so I don't know if I would accept that as truth.
July 7, 2010 at 10:52 PM
Steven Low said…
This is like the studies on ice baths after workouts.

Everyone knows it helps anecdotally and in real life.... but apparently it doesn't help in studies.
July 8, 2010 at 5:54 AM
Steven Rice Fitness said…
This is known by many, but not all, massage therapists, but there's still a lot of demand.

I blogged last month:
I recommend that massage be between events or workouts to help with recovery and to prepare for the next time. Massage immediately after heavy exercise can help with muscles that are tightening, but should be fairly light to not add any extra stress to the muscle tissue. Note that "flushing lactic acid" is a myth. A body that's tight and unbalanced doesn't perform well, and that's where skilled massage can make the most difference.
July 9, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dry January

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking part in "Dry January".  I didn't make a big song and dance about it, but I decided to go for a calendar month or so with no alcohol.  A few people have asked me about my experience, so here are a few points. Why take a break from drinking? Alcohol is an interesting topic.  As a drug it is widely accepted in society, central to so much of our socialising and leisure.  There seem to be lots of health benefits - so we are told - yet there are also a lot of problems in terms of health, relationships and lifestyle that come from drinking. Over a few years I'd begun to become aware and then concerned that I was drinking too much and too regularly.  I am in a busy and stressful job and sometimes a glass of wine after work to relax is really helpful.  But over time, one glass became two.  Two glasses became ....I might as well finish the bottle.  A habit got established....and was starting to get too e...
7 comments
Read more

So where have I been?

You will have noticed that this blog has been quiet for a while....  There are a few reasons for that, reasons that I thought I'd list here: WORK -  my day job has been incredibly busy and stressful this year. Working 10-14 hour days the last thing on my mind when I got home was putting something on here.  FACEBOOK/TWITTER - I suppose I've been using other channels to do some of what I used to do here. Quick fire posts pointing to interesting studies or news etc tend to get posted to Twitter (@chrishighcock) or to the Facebook Hillfit group http://www.facebook.com/groups/263083947097000/  REASSESSMENT - I've found myself less comfortable with some of the positions I've taken in the past. Sometimes I'm embarrassed by some of the things I've promoted. I'm not Paleo or low carb. I think Tabata and intervals are misunderstood and misapplied. I cannot really claim to be HIT.   I find myselfunable  honestly to post things on here and pretend that I am some sort o...
12 comments
Read more

Taking up space for a brief update

I've a couple of posts in draft that I will get up soon -  an update / reflection on Dry January and some thoughts on the scheduling benefits of short workouts if your life is busy.  Before that though, I am pointing to something else. However, I wanted to highlight something that is coming this weekend that I've been involved in.   Amber Rogers (Gokaleo and author of Taking Up Space ) has been pulling together a bundle of books from various authors with a common theme, one that I've been pushing here recently.   Keep it simple, avoid the hype, be patient, be consistent and flee the gurus.   I've talked before about how we get obsessed with pushing for more and more, when enough is OK.  I've given my view that so much of the health and fitness internet world is more like a gnostic religion than something that will benefit your life. There are other voices out there saying similar things and I'll be pointing to a bundle of books later this week ...
1 comment
Read more