Are there Benefits Of Massage Therapy For Weight Loss?

When it comes to losing weight, it is natural to hope that there are some quick and easy ways to help your progress. Many massage therapists claim that massage therapy can help you with your weight loss goals, so is there any truth to the claims?

Whilst, of course, there are no magic fixes when it comes to losing weight, there are a number of benefits to massage therapy that could help you along the way to rid of those extra pounds. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Relieve Muscle Tension

By increasing blood flow to the muscles, massage can help to reduce inflammation, speeding up the healing process and shortening the recovery process. In addition, massage can also help to relieve tension and knots that can build up in the muscles after a workout. As a result, regular massage therapy can be a valuable part of any weightlifting routine, helping you to stay injury-free and more consistent with your training.

Reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

As any gym-goer knows, sore muscles can be an unfortunate part of the training process. Delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is caused by microscopic tears in the muscles that occur during exercise. This type of soreness is often felt 12 to 24 hours after working out and can last for several days. Massage therapy can be an effective way to reduce DOMS meaning you can get back to the gym faster!

Reduce Stress

Massages can help reduce stress levels, which can lead to weight gain. When you’re stressed, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol which is known to trigger cravings for unhealthy foods. By reducing stress levels, massage therapy could help to prevent these cravings and promote healthier eating habits. In addition to this, reduced stress also means a stronger immune system as cortisol can suppress how effectively your immune system works.

Improvement In Posture

Prolonged tightness through the back, shoulders, chest and hips can negatively impact your posture. Over time this can have a detrimental effect on your technique in the gym, and therefore impact how effective your training is. A session with a good massage therapist can be an effective way to improve posture, by lengthening and relaxing muscles that are tightened by poor posture, in turn leading to more effective workouts!

Improvement In Flexibility

Massage therapy can also help to improve motion and flexibility throughout the body, by easing tight muscles and reducing stiffness. As a result, people who receive regular massage therapy treatments often find that their bodies feel more relaxed and agile, leading to a better range of motion when working out. Long-term, this is an important factor when it comes to seeing results in the gym!

Types Of Massage

There are many different types of massages as well as massage techniques. It may be beneficial to learn about the different types of massages before you book a session. This way, you can choose the type of massage that best suits your needs. Some of these massages can help complement your weight loss routine, as discussed above, whilst others offer more healing or therapeutic properties.

Sports Massage

Sports massage is a type of massage that is specifically designed to help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future injuries. It can be used to treat a wide variety of sports injuries, including but not limited to tendonitis, bursitis, pulls, strains, and contusions.

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger point massage is a type of massage that focuses on specific areas of the body that are known to be tight or in pain. trigger points are usually found in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Swedish Massage

One of the most popular types of massage therapy, Swedish massage is a gentle massage that uses long strokes, kneading, and circular motions to relax the muscles and increase circulation.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a more intense type of massage focusing on the deeper layers of tissue and surrounding muscles. It can be used to treat aches and pains, discomfort in the muscles, as well as compressed regions such as stiff necks, upper and lower back pain, sore shoulders and leg muscle tightness.

Hot Stone Massage

A therapeutic process where massage therapists place smooth, heated stones on the body. The heat from the stones penetrates the muscles and helps to relax and ease tension.

 Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage is a type of massage that helps to move lymph fluid around the body. This can be beneficial for people who are suffering from conditions such as oedema, lymphedema, or sinusitis.

In Conclusion: Massage Therapy Can Help Support Your Weight Loss Journey

Whilst the number one way to achieve your weight loss goals is to follow a structured strength-training programme, complemented with a healthy and balanced diet; massage therapy can be an excellent supplement to keep you on track.

So, if you’re serious about shedding pounds, consider regularly booking with a licensed massage therapist to keep your body in check. We partner with Evolution Osteopathy in Southwark who deliver high calibre Osteopathy and Sports Massage, that has helped a huge number of clients and Personal Trainers at The Fitting Rooms!

The Fitting Rooms personal training gym offers expert One-on-One PT or Shared PT group training, alongside carefully balanced Nutrition Coaching at our 5* gym in London. We are experts at tailoring effective training and nutritional plans that will help you achieve long-term, sustainable results, whatever your fitness goal.

And don’t forget – a good therapeutic massage can do wonders for both your mental and physical wellbeing, so it’s worth looking into just for health benefits alone.