Massage & Stretching – A Beautiful Partnership
Have you ever wondered why stretches are recommended post massage session? Do you think that there are similar benefits to massage therapy and stretching? Could stretching be a helpful component to you on your healing journey or have you ever wondered what stretching can really do for you?
If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, then this article is for you! Please, keep reading to learn more….
On several post massage session occasions, I have recommended a stretching regime that is to be practiced between sessions. Over my years of practice, I have found stretching to play just as an important of a role in improving and maintaining one’s health as the massage therapy sessions themselves. Clients who actively participate in a stretching or yoga practice tend to experience longer lasting effects from the massage session, a decrease in recovery time from an injury or athletic event, an increase in flexibility and a decrease in chronic injuries.
“How can this be?”, you ask. Well, it just so happens that massage therapy and stretching share many similar benefits. Below are a few examples:
-Decrease in muscle tension
-Increase in joint mobility and range of motion
-Increase in circulation
-Improvement in cardiovascular health
-Increase in flexibility
-The body becomes more receptive to movement and can perform with more fluid motion
Please don’t just take my word for it, try the stretches we’ve discussed for yourself! I suggest “trying your stretching practice on for size” between massage sessions for a few weeks and see how you feel. Would love to hear how it goes!
Photo by Andrew Stamm
Hi there. My name is Heather Fraelick. I am a lover of life, movement and witnessing others feeling empowered. I am a dancer, a traveler, a teacher, a women’s circle facilitator, a life long student and more. I believe in life and the authentic healing that can happen when we actually slow down and feel what our bodies are trying to tell us. Welcome to my site.