I just read this article from the New York Times explaining how and why massage heals sore muscles. I am a big believer in massage as a regular part of my personal training program and have many athlete clients who swear by massage. As the field of massage continues to grow and develop, it is great to see more scientific research instead of just empirical results.
While I was in massage school, we were taught that an exercised muscle, after 5 minutes of rest, recovers 20% and after 5 minutes of massage, recovers 100%. While the percentages may be hard to prove, this article does support the sentiment.
For all the athletes recovering from the Alley Loop, getting ready for the Grand Traverse, or just finishing a day out on the slopes, do your muscles a favor and get a massage. Your body will appreciate it!
