Our Favorite Forms of Physical Therapy For Recovery Days

Today, recovery is as important as the actual workout itself. One of the main recovery protocols is the use of physical therapy. Physical therapy has been around for centuries, using many different methods to help one’s body recover and maintain physical motion.

With the advancement of physical therapy techniques, tools, and equipment, everyone from professional athletes, to Olympians, to everyday fitness enthusiasts is able to reap the rewards of overall improvement in health and wellness.

These days, with the numerous tools and pieces of equipment available, almost anyone can be their own sort of “physical therapist,” but there are still some forms of physical therapy that require a trained professional.

FightCamp Trainers’ Favorite Forms of Physical Therapy

​​We asked our FightCamp Trainers what their favorite forms of physical therapy are, and here’s what they said.

Aaron Swenson - Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a form of massage that focuses on targeting the deep layers of the muscle tissue and fascia to help aid in recovery and muscle relaxation.

Benefits:

• Improves blood circulation

• Improves pain management

• Improves muscle range of motion

• May reduce high blood pressure

Rocky Harris - Epsom Salt Bath Soak

Epsom salt baths were first discovered in 1618. When placed in water, epsom salts dissolve into magnesium and sulfate. Your skin then absorbs these minerals which is thought to alleviate pain, inflammation, muscle soreness, and even treat arthritis and fybromyalgia. Epsom salt baths are one of the most affordable options for athletes looking to recover from workouts, and they require nothing more than soaking in a warm tub of epsom salts.

Benefits:

• Relieves pain

• Relieves muscle soreness

• Reduces stress

• Prevents muscle inflammation

Coach PJ - Muscle Stimulation

Electric muscle stimulation (e-stim) is a form of stimulation in which pads adhere to various parts of the body. Electrical currents run to these pads and stimulate small muscle contractions. The pulses sent through the muscles help increase blood flow to that muscle group and aid in recovery. E-stim can be used on any muscle group or area of the body.

Benefits:

• Helps oxygenate muscles

• Flushes out toxins in body

• Reduces muscle soreness

• Improves blood flow

• Speeds up muscle recovery

Jess Evans - Sauna

Saunas are prominent in Europe and Asia but are also popular amongst athletes as a form of training recovery. The heat in a sauna helps muscles relax, opens blood vessels, and increases blood circulation. Oxygen-rich blood is carried to oxygen-depleted muscles, and with more oxygen, muscles can better repair themselves and pain may be alleviated. Simply sitting in a dry or steam sauna for 10-20 minutes is a great way to give the body a chance to recover after a boxing workout or a week of training.

Benefits:

• Removes toxins (through sweating)

• Improves blood circulation

• Reduces muscle aches

• Lowers blood pressure

• Improves muscle performance and endurance

Flo Master - Swimming

Swimming is a great form of active recovery since it is a low-impact activity. Active recovery involves doing movement that keeps the heart rate around 50-60% of its maximum. Swimming laps slowly will help loosen up your muscles after an intense kickboxing workout or a strength and conditioning training session.

Benefits:

• Reduces lactic acid build-up in muscles

• Eliminates toxins

• Reduces muscle soreness

• Improves blood flow

Shanie Smash - Chiropractic Work

Chiropractic care relies on certified practitioners who manipulate the body in order to better align the joints and muscles. It is based on the idea that the body can heal and perform better when the body is in proper alignment.

Benefits:

• Relieves muscle pain

• Improves posture

• May help improve athletic performance

• Reduces muscle tension

Recovery For Everyone

As you can see, there are numerous forms of physical therapy you can use to help you recover in between boxing sessions. We only briefly highlighted the favorites of our trainers. Some require certified practitioners, while others are as easy as sweating it out in a sauna or soaking in a tub. Regardless of which form of PT you decide to use, all have benefits that can keep you in tip-top fighting shape.

Are you ready to train like a fighter? Get access to hundreds of boxing, kickboxing, strength, conditioning, recovery, and stretching workouts that will push you mentally and physically. Download the FREE FightCamp App and train with real fighters from the comfort of your own home.