A good massage can help reduce muscle pain after exercising. Muscle pain after sports is usually harmless and disappears within a few days. It is a response to muscle overuse and can be minimized with a proper warm-up and cool-down. Muscle pain can be reduced and even prevented with a good massage using the right massage oil!
Shortly after exercising, a massage is an excellent way to alleviate or even prevent muscle pain. With the right massage oil, stiffness and soreness can be counteracted. In this article, we provide four massage oil recommendations to help reduce and prevent muscle pain after exercising!
Additionally, a massage with essential oil-infused massage oils can enhance performance. A groundbreaking study evaluating the influence of scents on athletic performance found that different aromas positively affected both performance and mood. Participants reported that their workouts felt easier, and they performed better.
Peppermint Massage Oil for Better Athletic Performance
Peppermint oil is not typically associated with sports or massage, yet its benefits for athletic performance and cycling are significant. A 2014 study found a correlation between athletic endurance and the use of peppermint oil. Furthermore, peppermint oil is known for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antioxidant effects. A massage with a peppermint essential oil-infused massage oil before a competition can potentially enhance performance!
Another 2013 study also found that peppermint oil can help relax muscles and improve sports performance.
Although further research is needed to uncover the precise mechanisms behind peppermint oil’s effects on performance, evidence suggests that the aroma of peppermint oil may lead to improved athletic performance and easier workouts.
Lavender Massage Oil for Faster Muscle Recovery
While peppermint massage oil can enhance sports performance and is useful for pre-workout massages, lavender massage oil is particularly effective for post-workout recovery. Lavender massage oil is widely loved for relaxation but also works well in preventing or reducing muscle pain after sports.
A 2014 study examined the effects of lavender oil on neck pain. The oil was added to a cream that was massaged onto painful areas daily. Pain scales showed that the lavender essential oil cream was significantly more effective in relieving pain than the neutral cream.
Lavender oil’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties make it effective for treating pain caused by muscle tension and strain. It also reduces swelling and improves blood circulation. Lavender oil is excellent for relieving muscle spasms caused by mental stress and anxiety associated with high-level sports.
So, while lavender massage oil may not directly improve athletic performance, it can certainly help reduce or prevent post-workout muscle soreness and alleviate stress that may arise from intense training.
Sports and Recovery Massage Oil for Athletic Massages
Naast massageoliën die bestaan uit één of meerdere basisoliën met één etherische olie, zijn er ook
In addition to single-ingredient massage oils, there are also blends that contain multiple essential oils and extracts. Verana has developed a special Sports and Recovery Massage Oil, formulated with natural ingredients proven to have positive effects both during sports and post-workout recovery.
This massage oil also helps with various skin issues that can arise from sports, such as friction from sportswear, the effects of sweat on the skin, or repeated movements.
This massage oil contains:
- Chamomile extract: Helps relax muscles and reduce muscle pain.
- Arnica flower extract: Improves circulation and soothes muscles after exercise.
- Walnut extract: Enhances skin elasticity and soothes rough/irritated skin.
- Aloe vera extract: Hydrates the skin and reduces sports-related skin issues.
- Grapefruit oil: Reduces swelling and muscle soreness from exercise.
- Peppermint oil: Helps relax muscles and may enhance athletic performance.
As you can see, this massage oil contains many ingredients yet remains 100% natural! It includes components proven to aid in rapid muscle recovery post-exercise.
Rosemary Massage Oil for Sore Muscles
Another essential oil widely used in the sports world is rosemary oil. This massage oil helps relax muscles and alleviates cramps by breaking down lactic acid crystals. During exercise, your muscles burn glucose, releasing lactic acid. To process this, your body requires extra oxygen. If oxygen levels are insufficient, lactic acid builds up in the muscles, leading to muscle soreness.
A 2019 study from Wageningen University also demonstrated rosemary oil’s positive effects on muscles during exercise. The study found that rosemary essential oil had a beneficial effect on serum CK concentration—a scientific indicator of muscle damage.
DISCLAIMER: The effects of essential oils on illnesses are not scientifically proven. Always consult a physician before using essential oils to treat medical conditions. Click here for more information.
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