Every professional sports team employs massage therapists who provide a balance to the training regimens of team members. At Refresh Thai Spa, we understand the benefits of an expert massage before or after a workout and what it can mean for a team member’s performance. 

 

An authentic Thai massage can help people with active lifestyles avoid injury and reduce the severity of minor aches and pains of physical activity. Other benefits include:

• Reduce inflammation and improve circulation
• Relax muscle tissue to enhance flexibility and range of motion
• Promote lymphatic drainage for detoxification and post-workout recovery
• Provide deep stretching for improved joint health and injury prevention
• Support mental clarity and focus during training cycles

Skilled massage therapists can also perform targeted acupressure to release deep-seated tension and knots. 

Massage Before or After a Workout: Which is Better?

There are pros and cons to getting a massage both before and after a workout. 

Pros of Having a Massage Before a Workout

Some athletes seek a massage before they engage in exercise or workouts. The most common reasons are that it:

• Improves circulation 
• Warms up muscles
• Increases mobility and flexibility 
• Decreases stiffness and soreness after the workout 
• Enhances performance during the competition or workout

Cons of Having a Massage Before a Workout

However, you want to avoid deep tissue massages and keep the contact light. Having a deep massage may lead to:

• Muscle soreness that impedes performance 
• Relaxation leading to sleepiness
• Reduced muscle strength from over-relaxing the muscles. 

Pros of Getting a Massage After a Workout

The majority of athletes believe massage helps the body after a workout. The largest benefit is the Delayed-Onset Muscle Cramps, known as DOMS. Having a massage after a workout can delay or eliminate cramping. DOMS is the result of microscopic tears in muscle fibers that can be uncomfortable and curtail the performance of regular activities for a couple of days after a strenuous workout. 

However, deep tissue or Thai massage should only be scheduled 24 to 48 hours after intense training to give the muscles time to rest and recover. 

Cons of Getting a Massage After a Workout

There are very few negatives to having a massage after a workout. The only con involves sensible avoidance of workout-related injuries. You should avoid a massage if you’ve suffered:

• Active wounds
• Muscle ruptures
• Sprains
• Broken bones 

Listening to Your Body

Experienced athletes in training mode develop the skills to listen to their bodies as they train or compete and use the signs to determine how they would benefit from massage. 

 

They weigh their preferences against their goals and performance standards versus the recovery time to help decide if a massage will benefit their immediate efforts or work against them.