Stretching vs massages: What’s the best way to ease muscle aches and soreness? - Channel NewsAsia

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One way to tell if you have muscle tightness is to look at yourself in the mirror. "You want your hips and shoulders to be level," said Klein. If, for example, one shoulder is lower than the other, it could mean that the muscles on the affected side of your back are tighter – and you’ll need to stretch to elongate them.

If a massage is what you need, Xu said that “the mechanical pressure exerted promotes blood circulation and thus, induces muscle relaxation in the targeted area”. “Massages can often lead to longer lasting relief of one to seven days if done right,” he said.

But if you’re seeking “enduring relief from pain, a consistent stretching routine is the primary avenue to achieve this goal”, said Lau.

CAN HANDHELD MASSAGE DEVICES REPLACE STRETCHING?

There is a myriad of handheld therapy massagers on the market. Can they replace stretching? “Devices are time saving and help someone ease into the act of stretching,” said Lau. “Just as a chef tenderises meat with a mallet”, a massage device can be used first to alleviate muscle tension, so that stretching can be performed with ease," he said.

On the other hand, masseurs or physiotherapists can specifically target and address ligament issues, Lau said. “The challenge is that they can be costly and securing appointments can be time consuming. Daily habits are more consistent and effective compared to just a couple of adjustments a week.”

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