Increase Performance with Massage Therapy and Active Release Technique

Massage therapy and active release technique are two great ways to improve performance. Massage therapy has been used for centuries as a way of improving health, promoting healing, and reducing stress. To that end, active release technique is an innovative tissue-focused massage technique that precisely targets the affected muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments.

What is Massage Therapy?

Pain is the most common reason for people to visit a massage therapist. Sometimes this pain is from muscle overuse or strain of muscles, bones, and/or joints from repetitive activities of daily living (such as typing on a computer) or sports-related injuries. Many people think of getting a massage as a way to unwind and relax, but there are many more benefits to massage therapy. Massage therapy can:

• Improve blood and lymphatic circulation by flushing metabolic wastes and other tissue toxins out of the muscles and other tissues.
• Increase the flow of synovial fluid, which lubricates joints and promotes healthy cartilage.
• Reduce stress hormones. This reduces pain, inflammation, tension in the muscles, and increases the release of endorphins.
• Increase range of motion by helping to break down adhesions, or restrictions in muscles and connective tissues.  

What is Active Release Technique?

Active release technique (ART) is a massage that focuses on soft tissue injuries by applying pressure at the affected site in order to help break up scar tissue or adhesions which can lead to pain. There are many other benefits of massage therapy. These include: increasing blood flow, decreasing cortisol levels (a hormone released during stressful situations), and releasing endorphins which make you feel better. 

The Problem with Overused Muscles

Overused muscles and tissues can lead to a variety of conditions and symptoms, which can affect the way you move and function in your daily life. Unfortunately, sometimes overusing certain muscles is inevitable due to the requirements of our stressful daily routines. This can cause injuries and/or an accumulation of micro-damage to the affected tissues. Further, this promotes the formation of dense scar tissue, which can negatively affect the surrounding healthy tissue. As a result, muscles become weaker and shorter, tendons become irritated, and nerves may get pinched or trapped. This can lead to the development of a number of painful conditions, which include but are not limited to the following:

• chronic back, neck, shoulder, and leg pain
• muscle and ligament tears
• damaged or compressed nerves
• headaches
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• shin splints
• plantar fasciitis
• tennis or golf elbow
• sciatica

While these painful conditions can disrupt your daily life, there are things you can do to help your pain. By using massage therapy regularly, you can help prevent these issues from developing or persisting.

How to Prevent Muscle Overuse

In addition to massage therapy or active release technique, there are other things you can do to try and prevent muscle overuse. 

Exercise Regularly

Be sure to engage in regular exercise, which includes aerobic, strength training, and stretching components. This will help with your circulation and improve your range of motion.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

When you are carrying extra weight, particularly around the midsection or lower back, it is more likely that you will overuse muscles and that you will be more likely to suffer injuries. By maintaining a healthy weight and doing exercises that help strengthen and tone these areas, you can prevent muscle overuse injuries.

Wear Proper Footwear

Make sure your shoes fit well, support your feet correctly, and are appropriate for the activity at hand. To that point, running shoes should be replaced every 400-500 miles, depending on individual running habits. Further, if you are participating in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, or quick changes of direction (such as basketball), be sure to wear the appropriate sport shoe. By wearing appropriate shoes for your activity, you can help prevent muscle overuse injuries.

Take Breaks

When working on your feet, ensure that you take breaks to stretch and relax the muscles in your lower back and legs. Pay attention to how long you are standing or walking. If possible, alternate between periods of sitting and standing throughout the day. In the end, this will help with circulation and, in turn, help prevent muscle overuse injuries.

By following these suggestions in addition to receiving massage therapy or active release technique, you can reduce your risk of developing muscle overuse injuries. These techniques will also help to maximize your performance in the activities you enjoy doing. If you continue to experience pain after trying these options, it’s time to visit our Austin clinic.

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, it may be time to schedule an appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center. To learn more about these services, schedule a consultation today by calling us at (512) 806-0015.