Why Self-massage Is the Ultimate Pre-Workout Method

When it comes to physical activity, self-massage is an important tool to improve performance.

"By increasing blood flow and circulation to your muscles, you'll be able to work out harder and for more extended periods", said Michael Jones, CMT, who specialises in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Improved blood flow means more oxygen-rich blood pumping to your muscles, which provides them with an energy boost, allowing them to work harder and longer without fatigue.

Self-massage can also speed up the muscle's recovery time. This means you're less likely to exercise with fatigued or ultra-sore muscles, which can allow you to improve performance. Whether you're going on a walk or challenging yourself to lift more weight, doing so will feel a whole lot better when you're not as sore.

According to Jones, self-massage is an essential practice for injury prevention in athletes. "It helps decrease the risk of muscle strains and other common injuries", he said.

(Related: Common Injuries to Watch Out For, According to Physiotherapists)

Massaging the muscles can be incredibly healing, thanks to its ability to increase blood flow. This oxygenates your cells, which speeds up the repair process. Research by scientists at Wyss Institute and Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also found that massage has the ability to compress the cells that cause inflammation in the muscle tissue, which can also contribute to muscle repair.

Self-massage also "decreases micro-trauma in your tissues, which may be responsible for soreness in the days following a workout", Jones said. "As a result, you'll be able to recover more quickly so that you can get back to training or compete as soon as possible", he said.

Also known as DOMS—or delayed onset muscle soreness—sore muscles can start within 24 hours of a workout and last up to seven days (with the peak soreness occurring within the first three days). While it's not entirely known what causes DOMS, research shows that self-massage is particularly good for alleviating DOMS symptoms and, therefore, helping you recover faster.

If you're using self-massage to speed up recovery time, it's important to speak to a medical professional to learn the proper techniques and methods that are right for you.

"When a specific muscle or body part isn't working the way it is supposed to, it is susceptible to injury, as are other body parts that are forced to take on the additional work", said Matt Tanneberg, DC, CSCS.

When massaging your muscles for injury prevention, he recommended creating a pre-exercise routine that includes "a dynamic warm-up that ideally mimics some or all of the movements you will be performing, followed by self-massage on any areas that feel tense, tight or limited".

"Massaging your muscles helps increase the temperature of the muscles, making them more pliable", Jones said. Massaging muscles can also help break up adhesions and knots in connective tissues. Through these benefits, you can improve flexibility and range of motion.

According to Salinas, the practice of self-massage realigns muscle fibres, which can help alleviate tension in the body. "Once the muscles are more relaxed, proper blood flow can travel in and out of the affected area", Tanneberg said.

"When you massage your muscles, you essentially give yourself a mini workout", Jones said, adding that it can help prepare the body for movement by increasing circulation and allowing "more oxygenated blood flow through your veins and arteries to your cells and organs", he said.