Should I Get a Massage Right After an Injury?

Posted: December 5th, 2014

When I bump myself or get a leg cramp, my first instinct and reflex is to rub it out. So technically we think massaging an injury relieves pain and discomfort. Massage therapy with a massage therapist goes much further relieving an injury with proper massage therapy. Sometimes massage will make things worse if you don't know what you are doing and the type of injury might not warrant massage therapy. It's better to trust a professional and consult your massage therapist about your injury. Otherwise, you might be doing more harm than good.  The main goal of physical rehabilitation is to increase strength and flexibility. But, rehabilitating an injury can be time consuming and frustrating. Rehab starts you on the path but usually ends before you are fully recovered to your pre-injury status.   Here's where massage can help and play a big role in relaxation and healing. Massage is important as a supplement to your other rehabilitation process. By encouraging circulatory movement and relaxing muscles, massage helps the body pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. This will help the rehabilitated injured area become more flexible and start to heal at an accelerated rate.   Massage provides an opportunity for faster recovery. Massage therapy has been helpful to relieve muscle spasms, broken bones, a sprained ankle, and even a twisted knee. The pressure of your therapist's hands improves blood flow making your muscles warmer. Massage can help flush out swelling in joints, allowing faster healing by stretching tight tissues and breaking down adhesions.   Your massage therapist wants to help you feel better. By disclosing information about the ailments you have, he or she can help develop a continual massage treatment program. Massage is also used to aid in pain management as you heal an injury back to full strength.