Did you know that CrossFit is in the top ten of the largest and fastest-growing corporate chains in America? CrossFit stands alongside behemoths like Subway, Starbucks, Burger King. It’s safe to say that since its inception in 2000, it’s made waves in the fitness world.
Regardless of your exercise of choice, many athletes find themselves with some muscle soreness at one point or another. And when you inevitably do, some form of muscle therapy is likely required to help your body recover.
Paying attention to the discomfort and making your recovery a priority is one essential way to keep going with your favorite work outs. Here, we cover what muscle therapy means, as well as the top types of muscle therapy that athletes are using!
What Is Muscle Therapy?
Muscle therapy is what the name implies—therapuetic ways to reduce pain in your muscles.
When aided by occupational therapists, experienced stretchologists, physical therapists, etc, the odds of increasing functional use of your muscles also increases.
If you suffer from any pain due to physical activity, then muscle therapy is a great solution. Let’s look over a few types.
Types of Muscle Therapy
You can incorporate one or all of the following tactics into your workout routine for optimal recovery.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the practice of providing hands-on movement of your soft body tissues to enhance your well-being. Massage targets many areas: your connective tissue, such as the fascia; your tendons and ligaments; and of course, your muscles.
Assisted Stretching
If you’re dealing with severe upper or lower back pain, or muscle soreness of any kind, assisted stretching could be of great benefit to you. Sometimes, doing a routine on your own doesn’t allow you to pinpoint areas of weakness. Knowing where you could improve—and getting assistance—takes a regular stretch sesh up a notch.
Assisted stretching can:
- Reduce muscle tightness, a key contributor to soreness
- Improve flexibility
- Decrease stress levels
- Improve your athletic performance
- Increase your range of motion
These things help you not only be a better athlete but contribute to a higher quality of life.
This is especially true when working with an expert. Here at Stretch 22, we use a PNF, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, technique which uses your specific reflexes to deepen stretches. Combined with the VibraCussor’s waves of compression, your fascial and muscle adhesions will feel the release you need.
Myofascial Release
This form of muscle therapy treats chronic pain and tightness in your myofascial tissues. Since your myofascial tissue ‘surrounds and supports’ the muscle throughout your body, these tissues have a direct effect on the way your muscles feel.
It’s likely that if you have chronic pain, it occurs in a lot of the same places. These are called your trigger points. Myofascial release targets these pinpoints.
Pain, Pain, Go Away
Now that you know some of the top ways to promote recovery with muscle therapy, it’s time to get back in the gym! Muscle soreness stands no chance against these great solutions.
Check out our schedule today to see how assisted stretching can work for you!