Massage Can Help After a Workout, But Not for the Reason You Think
Briefly

Massage therapy is increasingly integrated into athletic training, with evidence supporting its benefits for recovery and flexibility. Athletes regularly endorse massage for its ability to alleviate muscle soreness and tension. Despite the popularity and perceived advantages, the underlying science remains complex. Research suggests massage aids recovery through mechanisms such as enhanced blood circulation and the removal of lactic acid. The growing market for massage tools further reflects the value placed on these benefits by both amateur and elite athletes alike.
It's obviously doing something that athletes perceive as beneficial. There is no question that massage can make you feel better in the short term and a lot of people find that it and foam rolling can ease muscle knots and even increase flexibility.
One of the most common claims about the benefits of massage is that it helps with recovery by improving blood flow and flushing out lactic acid, a chemical once blamed for muscle soreness after hard exercise.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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