{"id":77930,"date":"2026-07-23T21:28:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/?p=77930"},"modified":"2026-07-23T21:28:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:28:37","slug":"doms-recovery-massage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/","title":{"rendered":"DOMS recovery: does massage actually help sore muscles?"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-84847\" src=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doms-recovery-massage-blys-2.jpg\" alt=\"doms-recovery-massage\" width=\"1100\" height=\"764\" \/>The soreness that arrives the day after a hard workout, or more accurately the morning of the day after, when getting out of bed becomes its own training event, is delayed onset muscle soreness, also known as DOMS. Everyone gets it, nobody enjoys it, and the question of whether massage actually helps is a reasonable one that deserves a straight answer rather than a sales pitch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s what the evidence actually says about DOMS recovery massage, and what to do with it.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #100249;color:#100249\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #100249;color:#100249\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#What_DOMS_actually_is\" >What DOMS actually is<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#DOMS_doesnt_mean_the_workout_was_better\" >DOMS doesn&#8217;t mean the workout was better<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#DOMS_reduces_with_repeated_exposure\" >DOMS reduces with repeated exposure<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#What_the_evidence_says_about_DOMS_massage\" >What the evidence says about DOMS massage<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#What_massage_actually_does\" >What massage actually does<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#What_massage_doesnt_do\" >What massage doesn&#8217;t do<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#What_to_do_alongside_massage\" >What to do alongside massage<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Active_recovery\" >Active recovery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Sleep_and_nutrition\" >Sleep and nutrition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Heat\" >Heat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Cold_water_immersion\" >Cold water immersion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#When_to_book_relative_to_your_workout\" >When to book relative to your workout<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Not_immediately_after_training\" >Not immediately after training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#24_to_48_hours_after_the_sweet_spot\" >24 to 48 hours after: the sweet spot<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#48_to_72_hours_after_still_useful\" >48 to 72 hours after: still useful<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Before_your_next_hard_session\" >Before your next hard session<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Does_massage_help_with_DOMS_recovery\" >Does massage help with DOMS recovery?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#What_is_the_best_massage_for_delayed_onset_muscle_soreness\" >What is the best massage for delayed onset muscle soreness?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#When_should_I_get_a_sore_muscle_massage_after_training\" >When should I get a sore muscle massage after training?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Does_massage_help_with_DOMS_or_make_it_worse\" >Does massage help with DOMS or make it worse?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#How_long_does_DOMS_last_without_massage\" >How long does DOMS last without massage?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/doms-recovery-massage\/#Get_the_Massage_That_Makes_Tomorrows_Workout_Possible\" >Get the Massage That Makes Tomorrow&#8217;s Workout Possible<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_DOMS_actually_is\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What DOMS actually is<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DOMS isn&#8217;t damage in the way most people assume. It&#8217;s the body&#8217;s inflammatory response to the microscopic trauma that eccentric muscle contractions cause, which is the lengthening-under-load part of a movement, like the lowering phase of a squat or the landing phase of a jump. The tissue isn&#8217;t seriously injured; it&#8217;s adapting, and the soreness is part of that process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inflammation peaks at 24 to 48 hours after the effort, which is why the soreness often isn&#8217;t there immediately after training but is very much there the following morning. By 72 hours it&#8217;s usually starting to resolve on its own, and by day four or five it&#8217;s typically gone, whether you do anything about it or not.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DOMS_doesnt_mean_the_workout_was_better\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DOMS doesn&#8217;t mean the workout was better<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The soreness level has no reliable relationship with the quality of the training session. Beginners get more DOMS than experienced athletes doing the same workout because the tissue is less adapted to the load. Novel exercises produce more DOMS than familiar ones, and returning to training after a break produces noticeable DOMS even from light sessions. More soreness doesn&#8217;t mean more progress, it means the tissue encountered something unfamiliar.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DOMS_reduces_with_repeated_exposure\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DOMS reduces with repeated exposure<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The repeated bout effect means that doing the same exercise again before the DOMS has fully resolved reduces the severity of the response the second time around. This is one of the reasons experienced lifters get less sore than beginners, not because they&#8217;re working less hard, but because the tissue has adapted to the specific demands of their training. Your body gets better at handling what you keep throwing at it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_the_evidence_says_about_DOMS_massage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What the evidence says about DOMS massage<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The research on sore muscle massage is more positive than a lot of fitness content suggests. The most consistent finding across multiple reviews is that massage reduces perceived soreness from DOMS and may speed the return of muscle function, though the effect on the underlying inflammation is less clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_massage_actually_does\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What massage actually does<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most reliable effect is on how sore the muscles feel, which sounds like a small win but is actually a real one. If the soreness is limiting your ability to train, sleep, or sit down without making noises, reducing it has real value even if the tissue repair is happening at the same rate underneath. Most people who book a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/services\/sports-massage\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sports massage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during DOMS report the area feels noticeably better during and after the session, and that the peak soreness window is shorter than it would have been.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The leading explanation is that massage reduces the inflammatory signaling driving the soreness sensation, improves local circulation, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system in a way that changes how the brain processes the pain signal. Whether you&#8217;re a physiology nerd or just someone who wants their legs to work again, the practical result is the same: less soreness, sooner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_massage_doesnt_do\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What massage doesn&#8217;t do<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massage doesn&#8217;t speed up the removal of lactic acid. This is a persistent myth worth killing off, and lactic acid isn&#8217;t actually the cause of DOMS anyway as it clears within about an hour of exercise. Massage also doesn&#8217;t speed up the tissue repair process itself. The inflammation after hard training is an adaptive response, and suppressing it too aggressively, whether through ice, anti-inflammatories, or deep work immediately after the effort, may actually reduce the training adaptation you were chasing in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The honest version: massage for delayed onset muscle soreness is useful for managing the symptom rather than accelerating the underlying process. That&#8217;s still worth doing, especially if the soreness is affecting training frequency or just making everyday life annoying.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_do_alongside_massage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to do alongside massage<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Active_recovery\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active recovery<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Light movement, walking, easy cycling, a gentle swim, increases blood flow to the sore muscle and reduces perceived soreness more consistently than lying on the couch hoping for the best. It doesn&#8217;t need to be a session; 20 to 30 minutes of easy movement the day after a hard effort is enough to make a real difference. If you want the full picture on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/blog\/active-recovery-for-gym-goers\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">active recovery for gym-goers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, that&#8217;s the deeper read.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sleep_and_nutrition\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep and nutrition<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep is when the actual tissue repair happens, and under-sleeping after a hard training session extends the soreness timeline more reliably than almost anything else. Protein intake in the 24 to 48 hours after training supports the repair process. Neither of these is as satisfying as booking a massage, but both have strong evidence behind them and cost nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heat<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heat increases blood flow and reduces the perceived pain of soreness, which is why a warm shower or heat pack on a sore muscle feels like it&#8217;s doing something, because it is. It doesn&#8217;t accelerate repair, but it does reduce the discomfort, which is often what people actually want.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cold_water_immersion\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cold water immersion<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ice baths and cold showers reduce perceived soreness reliably, with one catch: they suppress the inflammatory response that drives the adaptation. For athletes whose priority is performance, the soreness reduction is probably worth it. For people training for muscle growth, the evidence suggests skipping the ice bath and taking the soreness instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_book_relative_to_your_workout\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to book relative to your workout<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timing matters more than most people <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">realize <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for getting anything useful out of a delayed onset muscle soreness massage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_immediately_after_training\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not immediately after training<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first few hours after training, while the acute inflammatory phase is running, isn&#8217;t the right window for deep work. The tissue is in an active inflammatory state and aggressive massage during this period can actually increase soreness rather than reduce it. A light, flushing session is fine; deep tissue work isn&#8217;t.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"24_to_48_hours_after_the_sweet_spot\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24 to 48 hours after: the sweet spot<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 24 to 48 hour window is when the soreness is at or near its peak and when<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/services\/sports\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DOMS massage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> produces the most noticeable relief. This is when the inflammatory response is active but not so acute that massage makes it worse, and the window where a session has the best chance of shortening how long the soreness sticks around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the soreness is affecting your next training session, reducing it at the 24-hour mark gives the muscles more time to settle before you need them again. That&#8217;s probably the most practical reason to book in this window rather than waiting it out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"48_to_72_hours_after_still_useful\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">48 to 72 hours after: still useful<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By this point the soreness is usually starting to resolve on its own. A massage here is still useful for reducing residual tension and helping the final stages of recovery move faster, but the urgency is lower. If your schedule only allows this window, it&#8217;s still worth doing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Before_your_next_hard_session\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before your next hard session<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If DOMS from one session is overlapping with the next scheduled hard effort, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/ca\/services\/sports\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sports massage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between the two reduces the residual tension and gives the second session a better starting point. It&#8217;s not clearing the DOMS magically, it&#8217;s reducing the muscular tightness that accumulated soreness creates so the next session doesn&#8217;t feel like punishment from the first rep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The soreness is coming regardless of what you do. The question is just how long you want it to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/app.getblys.com\/new-booking\/location\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book a sports massage at home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through Blys, available 7 days a week, 6 am to midnight across Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/app.getblys.com\/new-booking\/location\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book the Session That Makes Tomorrow&#8217;s Workout Possible \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_massage_help_with_DOMS_recovery\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does massage help with DOMS recovery?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, with some nuance. The most consistent finding in the research is that massage reduces how sore the muscles feel and may shorten the window of peak soreness. It doesn&#8217;t accelerate the underlying tissue repair or clear lactic acid (which isn&#8217;t the cause of DOMS anyway), but reducing the symptom has real value if the soreness is affecting training or daily function.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_best_massage_for_delayed_onset_muscle_soreness\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the best massage for delayed onset muscle soreness?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sports massage is the most common choice for DOMS recovery because it&#8217;s built around muscle groups under load and focuses on improving circulation and reducing tension in specific areas. The pressure is firm but not aggressive, and your therapist adjusts based on how the tissue feels on the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_should_I_get_a_sore_muscle_massage_after_training\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When should I get a sore muscle massage after training?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 24 to 48 hour window after a hard session is the sweet spot. Booking too soon, in the first few hours while the acute inflammation is at its peak, can increase soreness rather than reduce it. By 24 hours the tissue is ready for hands-on work and that&#8217;s when the relief is most noticeable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_massage_help_with_DOMS_or_make_it_worse\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does massage help with DOMS or make it worse?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on timing and pressure. Deep tissue work in the first few hours after training can make soreness worse. In the 24 to 48 hour window, at an appropriate pressure, massage reliably reduces perceived soreness. The key is not going too hard too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_DOMS_last_without_massage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long does DOMS last without massage?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most DOMS resolves on its own within 72 to 96 hours regardless of what you do. Massage, active recovery, and heat can shorten the peak soreness window, but the process is largely self-resolving. The main reason to do something about it is if the soreness is affecting training frequency or quality of life in the meantime.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_background&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#faf1eb&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;3%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;3%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; shape_type=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_the_Massage_That_Makes_Tomorrows_Workout_Possible\"><\/span>Get the Massage That Makes Tomorrow&#8217;s Workout Possible<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=&#8221;jumbo&#8221; open_new_tab=&#8221;true&#8221; button_style=&#8221;regular&#8221; button_color_2=&#8221;Accent-Color&#8221; icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; text=&#8221;Book Now&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/app.getblys.com\/new-booking\/?utm_source=website-blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=doms-recovery-massage\/&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text] The soreness that arrives the day after a hard&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1919,"featured_media":77936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"DOMS recovery: does massage help sore muscles? | Blys","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Does massage actually help with DOMS? What the evidence says, what timing works, and what massage does versus what it doesn't for sore muscle recovery.","footnotes":""},"categories":[443,445],"tags":[545],"reviewer":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-77930","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blys-for-clients","8":"category-self-care-101","9":"tag-doms-recovery-massage"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>DOMS recovery: does massage help sore muscles? | Blys<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Does massage actually help with DOMS? 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