Many doctors advocate simple exercises and body manipulation after an injury to help you recover. While physical therapy can help you with the physiological aspects, the benefits of massage for injury recovery should not be discounted either. Rehabilitation can be a frustrating and exhausting process. While physical therapy, whether on your own or with a therapist, can help you recover flexibility and strength, you typically stop the therapy before your injured area is back 100 percent.

Massage should be an integral part of any injury recovery rehabilitation. One of the most important aspects of massage is that it can increase blood circulation to the injured area. This means more oxygen and nutrients are pumped into the area providing a boost in the healing process. The relaxation of muscles and joints and decrease in pain is a side benefit.

Sports massage therapists are the ideal candidates to perform the massage although any massage therapist with specialized training in rehabilitation techniques can help as well. Typically, you would lie on a massage table on your stomach or back depending on the limitations your injury may dictate. Sometimes, a massage chair may be used. Special lotions or oils may be used during the massage process, depending on your injury and massage therapist.

Besides boosting the healing process and relaxing the muscles and joints, the benefits of massage for injury recovery include lowering your blood pressure and increasing your endorphins, the chemical release in your body that stimulates good feelings. Massage activates your lymph system and increases your range of motion. If your injury has left you rather limited physically, massage can help stimulate the muscles that have been inactive. While not increasing muscle strength in this instance, massage can speed up recovery and your timetable for each milestone in injury recovery.

Touch can be healing. It has the power to release stress and shorten your recovery time. The benefits of massage for injury recovery may not always be touted by your doctor, so ask about it. Seek a professional who is well-versed in massage on injured patients. Experience for yourself the relaxing, healing power of massage.