Tired of fighting tight muscles & soreness? Both massage and stretch therapy can help propel your recovery, but they work your body in different ways. Here, we’ll explain how these services are alike, how they differ, and how to decide which may be the better fit.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy uses hands-on pressure, kneading, and friction to promote relaxation and relieve tension. “The therapist uses hands, forearms, or elbows to apply kneading or light to deep pressure,” explains Casey Carbine, licensed massage therapist and certified stretch therapist. “[It] calms the mind, drops stress hormones, flushes out waste products from hard workouts, and relaxes tight, overworked tissue passively while you rest.”
During a massage therapy appointment, clients typically undress to their comfort level and remain draped during the appointment. Massages typically take place on a massage table, and lotions and body oils may be used.
Massage provides a purely passive experience. While relaxing, some clients may experience soreness for 1-2 days following a massage appointment, particularly if deeper pressure is used.
Stretch Therapy
Stretch therapy is great if you want to improve flexibility, mobility, posture, and range of motion. Casey explains, “a stretch therapist guides your limbs through sustained holds, traction, and assisted stretching patterns, sometimes asking you to be a part of the movement.” By assisting with manual muscle manipulation and joint stabilization, a stretch therapist can help you experience a deeper stretch than you could achieve on your own, improving joint mobility, improving posture, and training the nervous system for deeper range of motion. Of course, these movements will also ease tight muscles, too.
During a stretch therapy session, clients remain fully clothed – plan to dress in athletic wear or other comfortable clothing that moves well and won’t limit your mobility. Lotions and body oils are not typically used during these sessions. Clients will be asked to alternate between sitting and lying down on a cushioned therapy table and “can expect to have an interactive, movement-based session,” guided by their certified therapist’s expertise.
How to Choose
Knowing what’s causing your tight muscles can help you determine which type of appointment is best for you. Again, stretch therapy is best for lengthening muscle fibers and increasing range of motion long-term. Things like back stiffness from a sedentary desk job or chronically tight hamstrings from frequent distance running are usually best addressed with stretch therapy, though massage can also be effective. However, if your tightness is the result of an injury or strain, stretching can actually make things worse. In these cases, gentle massage can aid the healing process but should be approached cautiously; be sure to notify your therapist of any recent injuries or symptoms.
Preference plays a bit part in the equation, too. If you’re still unsure which treatment is right for you, experiencing each for yourself could help you decide. Try a massage, schedule that stretch session, and see which has the greatest impact – your body will thank you.
Casey Carbine is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Stretch Therapist at Hockessin Athletic Club. After experiencing firsthand how massage therapy helped him recover from injuries and continue doing the activities he loves, Casey left a 10-year career in construction to pursue massage therapy at the Academy of Massage and Bodywork in Bear, Delaware. Today, he uses his experience and training to help clients move better, recover more effectively, and get the most out of their bodies.
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