Does anyone here do self massage? If so why, and whats your experinces.

[intouchwithinstinct]

I do self massage to my groin area and my neck after working out and often before bed because I think circulation to these areas is key to testosterone and HGH production.

I want to know about anyone El's who does self massage, where do you do it?  Why do you do it, and whats been your experiences?


P.S. I put this in exercises because I think its something you do to stimulate muscle tissue in a health beneficial manner.

[RawZi]

... groin area and my neck after working out and often before bed because I think circulation to these areas is key to testosterone and HGH production.

...

    Is that written somewhere in scientific literature?  Or does that just work for you and something different for someone else?

[kurite]

I am somewhat overweight but I run and play tennis a lot. Sometimes my shin acts up and I take a larger foam roll and use my body weight to put pressure on my shin and roll up and down. This greatly reduces pain within a day.

[intouchwithinstinct]

I do remember reading somewhere that a testicular massage increases testosterone levels in a study.  Cant remember where though next time I see it all post it.  Other then that its just been my own experience with it.  Just seems to make sense to me that to have good circulation to and from areas that produce these hormones will help production of these hormones.  Its not quite a ultra scientific thing to me though it also just helps me relax.  Haha then again when has man not relaxed clutching his own balls.

[smithgerry]

Massage helps reduce muscle tension and stiffness in numerous ways, including increasing blood flow to your muscles. I do self massage. Every morning and evening, hammer out my kinks.The research shows that massage therapy provides several important health benefits, including blood circulation and muscle relaxation.

[gep]

I'm doing it every evening, usually unconsciously i massage my face, neck and arms. aparently my muscles need that for some reason

[Guittarman03]

foam roller or a tennis ball (on your back while lying down) are all forms of self masssage.  It's best to combine with stretching the those same muscles as soon as you've massaged them; this will promote good alignment and if you're lifting, strength gains.  Increases blood flow, removes knots, improves body alignment. 

If your interested in this sort of thing, check out "myofascial release."

But be careful, if you're trying to solve musculo-skeletal pain, this is one of a few things you need to do to resolve the root of the problem.  For example, my gf likes to use a tennis ball on her back, which solves the immediate pain, but doesn little to remedy the spinal alignment issues that are causing the pain in the first place.

[Paleo Donk]

Heres a good manual on foam rolling, which I try to do a little bit of every time I go to the gym.

http://www.robertsontrainingsystems.com/downloads/SMR-manual.pdf

and a decent vid- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF0OP8_PHmo