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Massage Lightly for the first couple of times within 24 hours, using oil and flushing strokes and perhaps a little gentle kneading. You can do this yourself. Remember to massage always towards the heart with flushing strokes, this helps the body to be rid of waste by moving it in the direction of blood flow. The muscles are sore at this stage because even during normal vigorous use muscle fibres get broken and have to be repaired, also build-up of waste material in the muscles makes them ache and slows down flow of fresh blood to muscles if it is not flushed out. You may feel a longing to stroke them and great relief as you do so. Then a deep stripping massage is useful once soreness has gone from muscles. This helps to realign muscle fibres, stimulating healing. Garlic and menthol rub has been mentioned as useful for encouraging speedy recovery, although it does smell strongly! Gentle exercise The following day some gentle exercise - designed to oil the joints not stretch your limits - will help the removal of waste built up in the muscles. By keeping moving the circulation of blood and lymph is stimulated, supplying nutrients for rebuilding and scavenging white blood cells for removal of damaged tissue. Rest Sleep is the best rest! Listen to your body, build real periods of recuperation time into your exercise programme. This is when your strength increases. By exercising hard you ask your body to increase its power, it cannot do this while you are exercising however, only when you stop. A long hot bath is a wonderful way to help your body by helping tired muscles to relax. | ||
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CATHERINE HOLLAND Tel: 0701 7415310 Email: catherine@catherineholland.co.uk | |
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