Happy June! Here in the Rath home, we're excited for a slightly more relaxed summer schedule. We're ready for days at the pool and warm evenings spent making smores by the fire pit. Jada, our fast-growing and snow-loving puppy, is really enjoying sunbathing, hanging out in the backyard while we BBQ and taking evening or early morning walks. Isn't she just adorable?! Hope your summer brings lots of fun in the sun!

Reason #6 Why You Need a Massage.....To Relax Your Injured Muscles.
The sun is out and that means lots of people are busy getting their bodies in shape for a summer full of tank tops, shorts and pool parties! Whether you're a year round avid exerciser, an occasional weekend warrior, or you're making a last minute effort to get in shape for the summer, you will likely experience some degree of muscle soreness as you increase your activity level.  Heavily exercised muscles may lose their ability to fully relax, causing chronically tight (hypertonic) muscles, as well as a loss of flexibility. Lack of flexibility is often linked to muscle soreness, and increases your risk for injuries, especially muscle pulls, strains and tears. But don't give up on exercise! Massage has been shown to help the body recover from the stresses of strenuous exercise and help in the rebuilding phase of muscle conditioning. **Check out this study.
We've talked in the past months about how massage improves blood and lymph circulation and also enhances general relaxation. These responses, in turn, lead to removal of waste products, better cell and muscle nutrition, and greater elasticity of muscles and connective tissues. All of these body responses combined lead to an overall faster healing of injuries, relief from soreness and stiffness, better flexibility and less potential for future injury. In simple words, massage after exercise...
*Reduces the chance of injury by improving range of motion and muscle flexibility.
*Enhances power, performance and results.
*Shortens recovery time between workouts.
*Increases the supply of nutrients and oxygen by improving blood flow and the elimination of waste.
But wait, there's more! Receiving massage on a regular maintenance schedule allows your therapist to really focus in on specific muscle groups and tissues that you may be having issues with so that you may reach optimal performance through injury-free training. When you commit to getting regular massage, it gives your therapist a chance to find your unique trouble spots, perhaps from past injuries, and pay them special attention, monitoring them for developing problems, and helping to keep those problem areas in good condition.  
So if you're serious about bringing those "Guns out", be sure to make massage part of your wellness and fitness routine. You'll get all the benefits of relaxation plus you can push yourself a little harder with less injuries and get in shape a faster.
Wishing you an active, pain-free and fun-filled month of June!
 
 
Bryn Rath
Tranquil Massage
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