The good and the bad of massaging sore muscles

Are you feeling a deep soreness in your muscles? No matter what position you try, nothing helps alleviate the ongoing pain. Poking at it, rubbing it, and stretching it seems to agitate the muscle even more?

Research has proven that a quality therapeutic massage decreases inflammation and helps alleviate muscle soreness?

Want to know more? Read on…

Let me clarify the title… The only bad part about massaging sore muscles is not getting a massage in the first place.

Muscle soreness is like an ongoing toothache that won’t let up. You know the ones; the deep nagging in the back of the neck, legs, back shoulder blades that you struggle to reach, and upper shoulders are some of the most common muscles when it comes to soreness.

Common reasons for sore muscles

Sore muscles aren’t unique to just athletes or overly active people. Anyone and everyone is acceptable to sore muscles. You can get sore muscles doing any of these.

• Sleeping in the wrong position – nothing sets the day like waking up with a sore shoulder from sleeping too long on your side and a kink in the neck. Blah!
• Repetitive movements – Placing your muscles in a repetitive motion can put a kink in the system. Especially if you’re not used to making the motion.
• Awkward movements – Putting strain on muscles can be easily done when you place your body in awkward positions or movements. My brother is a mechanic and is always finding himself in weird positions and, of course, getting massages. 😉
• Extending your reach – Reaching for that top shelf does more than extending your arm muscle. It also extends the side muscle ( lats ) and will create soreness in the days to come when stretching a little too far. I find this type of muscle soreness the worst, like a nagging pain that you can’t do anything about.
• Starting a new routine – A new routine can be a new position at your job, new chores, or a new workout routine. Muscles that you didn’t even know existed can start to become sore. I’ve been there!

These, of course, are only a few reasons why we get sore muscles, but I think you get the idea.

As a massage therapist, I typically get sore in my upper back and shoulders after a long day or when I do more than a couple of deep tissue clients in a single shift.

Sometimes a few stretches in the morning with lavender essential oil diffusing in the diffuser can remedy my soreness. But sometimes, a few exercises aren’t enough, and the pain persists. 

That’s when I get a massage.

There is something very satisfying and effective when a therapist places prolonged broad pressure on a sore muscle. It feels a lot like an inflammatory boost to the inflamed muscle.

I like my massage with medium pressure and long gliding strokes mixed with a little kneading here and there. It gives me that good, hurt feeling that I love and enjoy in a massage.

Of course, it’s not a one size fits all world for getting a massage. Please make sure you tell your therapist what you are hoping to get out of your massage and make sure you help them regulate the pressure.

Should you get a massage when you have sore muscles?

Not only should you get a massage when you have sore muscles, but it is highly suggested.

Research states that a massage has more prolonged effects and healing attributes to your soreness, unlike some medicine, which can reduce inflammation and slow the healing process.

Can I massage my sore muscles?

Of course! 

Did you know that peppermint essential oil has inflammatory compounds? Add a couple of drops to some coconut or olive oil and massage into the area of your sore muscle.

Before using any essential oil, make sure to test a small part of your skin to ensure that you don’t have a reaction to the oil.

If the soreness persists, you can always book a massage appointment with us right here!