The following is a guest blog post from our very own Kara Tiede-Kabir of Revelations Center! Remember, if you’d like to get started, all 5 Alarm CrossFit members can get 15% off Revelations services (excluding Master Level)!
Do you experience persistent fatigue or muscle soreness? Do you have a “minor” injury that does not want to heal? Do you wake with achy joints and/or muscles regularly? Has your performance plateaued? Do you frequently get a “minor” cold or cough that you just can’t kick? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions you may be inadequately recovering.
Recovery is critical in establishing long term health and vitality. Joint mobility, cardiovascular conditioning, stability, and strength are some of the gains of consistent exercise and movement; however, on the other side of the spectrum training is destructive and catabolic, straining tendons, stretching ligaments, damaging muscle cells and depleting your glycogen. If your body does not have adequate rest, your optimum recovery may be impeded. If this is the case you are at higher risk of injury and long term disease.
The role of recovery in the body is to…
- Repair tissue, muscles, tendons, bone, and cartilage
- Allow glycogen (fuel) levels to be replenished
- Remove metabolic waste from the tissue and cells
- Restore hormones
- Restore nutrients and minerals in the body
- Improves the immune system
- Restores neural function
… just to name a few. There are many known elements of recovery, such as adequate rest, optimum sleep, foam rolling, eating well, proper hydration and stretching. All of these elements are important, however have you considered adding regular massage by a licensed professional to your routine? If not, here are some viable reasons to consider it as part of your repertoire.
Massage Therapy has been proven to…
- Increase the rate of muscle fiber repair
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce muscle tension
- Improve soft tissue function
- Increase range of motion
- Reduce various adhesions and scar tissue
- Increase circulation of blood and nutrients
- Promote relaxation
- Decrease delayed onset muscle soreness
Unfortunately, so many people believe that aches and pains are an inevitable result to working out consistently. However, this isn’t the case. Massage therapy reduces and/or eliminates this chronic discomfort when received regularly. A massage therapist has the ability to palpate areas of tension and congestion where other therapies may not. Integrating this form of therapy into your routine, at minimum, once a month may significantly enhance your body’s overall function. Not only will your body begin to repair, but your mind and emotion will be thankful too. Don’t wait for an injury or for your “last resort” to utilize this incredible resource, express your highest potential NOW.
