Massage has been used for thousands of years to help people feel better. Ancient texts reference massage in many places as a form of natural healing, and that is because the human condition has not changed. Many of us suffer from chronic muscle soreness and aches and pains.
Chronic muscle soreness can be a frustrating and debilitating issue, often caused by repetitive strain, stress, or overuse. Whether you’re an athlete, a desk worker, or someone dealing with injury recovery, persistent muscle pain can significantly impact your quality of life. At Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage, we offer targeted massage therapy techniques designed to help alleviate chronic muscle soreness and restore optimal body function.
In this article, we’ll explore the connection between massage therapy and muscle soreness relief, the best techniques for chronic pain, and how regular massage sessions can support long-term health.
What Causes Chronic Muscle Soreness?
Before diving into how massage therapy can help, it’s important to understand what causes chronic muscle soreness. Several factors contribute to persistent muscle discomfort, including:
- Overuse of muscles from repetitive movements (e.g., athletes, laborers, or office workers)
- Injury recovery, with scar tissue formation and tightness in the affected area, changing the way you move and function.
- Inadequate recovery, where muscles don’t fully repair after exercise or physical activity due to lack of rest and over-taxation
- Stress can lead to a disruption in sleep and body function, and increased pain
- Inflammation and Inflammatory conditions can also lead to aches and pains that decrease the quality of your life and increase pain
While these are relatively normal occurrences, they can reduce our quality of life and limit our ability to thrive. They can lead to lead to muscle stiffness, restricted movement, and discomfort, all of which can benefit from therapeutic massage or other like-minded interventions. How Does Massage Therapy Alleviate Chronic Muscle Soreness?
Massage therapy is an effective, drug-free, low risk treatment for chronic muscle soreness, providing a natural way to ease discomfort and restore flexibility. Here’s how:
1. Increases tissue stimulation
Massage supports sore muscles by helping them relax and recover. It sounds weird to want ‘tissue stimulation,’ but we are not talking about an overexcitatory response. The kind of response massage provides is drawing blood flow and proprioceptive feedback to different areas of the body, which in turn signals health to the brain.
2. Reduces Muscle Tension
Tight muscles are often the result of prolonged stress, lack of movement or injury. Massage helps relax these muscles through a nervous system response called the ‘relaxation response’, reducing tightness and stiffness. For those experiencing chronic pain, releasing nervous system tension as a whole can help reduce discomfort and prevent future flare-ups.
3. Mobilizes scar tissue
After an injury,y scar tissue can form and limit movement, causing pain. Making sure it stays flexible and pliable helps you move better and in turn, remodels the tissue.
The Best Massage Techniques for Chronic Muscle Soreness
In general, you want to choose the massage that FEELS the best to you. Every person has a different sensory threshold and comfort level when it comes to touch. Some will like deep pressure, some will like gentle flowing touch, and others will find movement in sessions helps them more. Some basic types of massages that many find help them are:
1. Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is one of the most popular treatments for chronic muscle soreness. By targeting the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue it helps to release muscle tightness and ease built-up tension. Often, this comes down to giving the body feedback and something else to feel. This technique is ideal for chronic conditions such as lower back pain, shoulder tightness, and muscle spasms.
2. Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy focuses on specific tight spots in muscles, known as trigger points, which often refer to pain in other areas of the body. By applying focused pressure to these points, trigger point therapy can release muscle ‘knots’ or tension, alleviate pain, and restore range of motion. Trigger point therapy is useful in areas of large dense muscles such as glutes, some areas of the back, and hamstrings.
3. Sports Massage
Sports massage combines various techniques like compression, kneading, and stretching to improve flexibility and relieve soreness after physical activity. This type of massage is especially beneficial for athletes or anyone experiencing soreness from repetitive motion or overuse. It helps reduce post-exercise stiffness and promotes faster muscle recovery. It is less of a style and more of a description of the type of activity that causes the massage to be needed.
4. Myofascial Release Therapy
Myofascial release is a technique that targets the fascia, skin and, the connective tissue surrounding muscles. Tight fascia can contribute to chronic muscle soreness and discomfort. By stretching and releasing tension in the fascia, myofascial release enhances mobility and reduces muscle pain, making it an effective option for individuals with chronic soreness. This technique is performed by pulling with sheer force along the surface of the body.
How Often Should You Get a Massage for Chronic Muscle Soreness?
For those dealing with chronic muscle soreness, regular massage therapy is recommended. Depending on the severity of your condition, it’s advisable to get a massage session once a week or biweekly. You will know how to time your massages after the first session. We recommend you come back when the initial problem starts creeping back again. That way, we can work progressively on reducing your pain. Regular sessions help maintain muscle flexibility, reduce recurring soreness, and keep the muscles in optimal condition.
How Regular Massage Helps with Muscle Soreness:
| Type of Massage | Benefits for Muscle Soreness | Ideal For |
| Deep Tissue Massage | – Reduces chronic muscle tension
– Targets deeper muscle layers – Relieves tightness and discomfort |
Those with persistent muscle tightness, back pain, or neck soreness |
| Sports Massage | – Eases post-exercise soreness
– Enhances recovery time – Improves flexibility and mobility |
Athletes, runners, and fitness enthusiasts after strenuous activity |
| Trigger Point Therapy | – Targets muscle knots and tight spots
– Relieves localized pain – Restores muscle mobility |
Individuals experiencing pain from specific muscle knots or tight areas |
| Swedish Massage | – Promotes overall relaxation
– Increases relaxation response – Relieves tension and stiffness |
Those needing overall muscle relaxation and stress reduction |
| Myofascial Release Therapy | – Releases tension in fascia (connective tissue)
– Increases flexibility |
Individuals with long-term muscle soreness or limited mobility due to fascial tightness |
Why Choose Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage?
Massage therapy is a powerful tool for managing and alleviating muscle soreness, enhancing overall well-being. Whether you’re an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or someone dealing with chronic muscle tension, regular massage therapy can help keep your muscles flexible, reduce pain, and prevent injury.
At Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage, we offer a variety of therapeutic massages tailored to your specific needs. From deep tissue massage to sports massage and trigger point therapy, our experienced therapists are here to help you recover, relax, and feel your best.
Ready to alleviate muscle soreness and improve your recovery? Schedule your appointment today by calling us at 212-600-4808 or 212-884-1010, or contact us online. Your muscles deserve the care they need!
