The Science Behind a Sports Massage – What Happens to Your Muscles

A sports massage isn’t just relaxing—it’s a proven way to enhance how your body feels and functions. Whether you’re desk-bound, recovering from an injury, or just managing daily tension, here’s what happens when you get a massage—along with a few facts you may not have heard!

Boosting Blood Flow: Better Recovery

Massage gets your blood moving, which:

  • Delivers oxygen and nutrients to muscles, speeding up repair.
  • Clears waste products like lactic acid, reducing soreness.

Did you know? After a massage, your blood flow can increase by up to 70% in the treated areas, giving your body a mini ‘supercharge’ for recovery.

Easing Muscle Tension: No More Knots

Tight muscles? Massage works to:

  • Break down adhesions, those tight bands of scar tissue.
  • Relax your nervous system, easing stiffness and improving flexibility.

Fun fact: Those muscle “knots” you feel are actually tiny areas where fibres are stuck together, often caused by prolonged stress or inactivity. Regular massage can “train” your muscles to avoid forming these knots.

Supporting the Lymphatic System: A Detox Boost

Your lymphatic system clears out waste and excess fluid. Massage enhances this by:

  • Draining puffiness and swelling caused by inactivity.
  • Supporting your immune system, helping your body repair itself.

Did you know? The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart—it relies on movement to circulate fluid. A massage is one of the best ways to give it a helping hand. If you’d like to know more about the lymphatic system, you can read our blog post all about it here

Relaxing the Mind: Stress Relief

Massage isn’t just for your muscles—it calms your mind too. It:

  • Lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, while boosting feel-good endorphins.
  • Activates ‘rest mode’, helping you unwind and recover.

Did you know? A single massage session can reduce anxiety levels by up to 44% and improve sleep quality for days after.

Reducing Inflammation: Healing Faster

Massage helps your body recover by:

  • Lowering inflammation markers, speeding up healing.
  • Clearing inflammatory waste, reducing soreness and stiffness.

Fun fact: Research shows that just 10 minutes of massage after exercise can reduce inflammation at the cellular level, providing benefits similar to anti-inflammatory medications.

Why Massage is for Everyone

Sports massage isn’t just for athletes—it’s for anyone dealing with tension, stiffness, or stress. Whether you’re easing the effects of a desk job or looking to feel more comfortable in your body, the science shows its worth it. Come and see one of our amazing massage therapists at Sundial Clinic in Brighton and see the benefits for yourself.