If you are a Jiu-jitsu player, you know how much of an impact it can have on your body. The constant grappling and pulling can take its toll on not just your muscles but also your joints. Regular sports massage sessions can help alleviate some of the tension in these areas, which will allow for more fluidity in movement. It is recommended that athletes get at least one sports massage per month to keep their bodies healthy and injury-free.
Jiu Jitsu athletes who don’t get a massage are likely to be weaker the next time they train. This is because their muscles break down during BJJ training, and if you want them to grow stronger in future workouts then it’s essential that your body repairs itself after each session.
Skipping out on massages has negative effects for Jiu Jitsu fighters long term since it inhibits muscle growth over time; not getting regular massages will leave you less strong than usual due to wear-and-tear from previous sessions of physical activity.
1) Increasing Blood Flow
You can aid the recovery process with massage after intense workouts or when you’re injured by increasing blood flow.
Applying a light, steady pressure to sore muscles will increase circulation and help your body heal faster! But this isn’t just limited to post-training sessions; it also speeds up injury rehabilitation because more blood in an area means that tissue damage heals quicker.
2) Massage is a great way to reduce pain, especially if the source of that pain has been chronic.
It increases blood flow and reduces inflammation in muscles, which results in less tightness around inflamed areas as well. This can be helpful for almost anyone who experiences some sort of acute or chronic discomfort from injuries such as sprains or strains, arthritis issues (like osteoarthritis), migraines/headaches etc., muscle cramps due to menstruation cycles/”crampies”, fibromyalgia symptoms (which include but are not limited to widespread musculoskeletal aches & pains) and more! There’s no reason you shouldn’t go get yourself one today…unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
3) It feels good, and it relaxes you.
Not everything we do has to have a practical utility – some things are for pleasure alone! Massage is one of those nice feelings that does us all good with no other purpose than our enjoyment.
When this happens during a massage, the body releases endorphins in abundance; these neurotransmitters relieve pain as well as promoting positive moods and decreasing anxiety levels from your daily life stressors; they can also help numb existing aches simultaneously if necessary or desired by an athlete.
Overall Self-care
A massage can help you relax, sleep better and feel healthier. Getting one regularly is an ideal goal but it doesn’t have to be expensive! Self-massage tools like a foam roller or tennis balls are great ways for beginners to start their own at-home massages with no need for professional assistance.
Massaging makes you feel more relaxed in return improving your sleep – there’s nothing quite as good isn’t it? But don’t fret if it does not fit into your budget – self-massage tools such as a foam roller and tennis ball offer similar benefits without the expense while allowing Jiujiteiros everywhere discover how enjoyable these techniques can really be!”
The Harsh Truth: Most Jiu-Jitsu Athletes Are Recovering Wrong
Let’s cut the fluff — most BJJ practitioners treat recovery like an afterthought. They’ll drill for hours, roll until their grips give out, then grab a protein shake and call it a day. But here’s the reality: if you’re not recovering right, you’re not progressing — you’re decaying. A 2025 survey by the National Institute of Sports Health found that Jiu-Jitsu athletes who incorporated sports massage therapy into their training cycles improved mobility and reduced injury recurrence by nearly 38% compared to those who didn’t.
Massage isn’t just about “feeling good” — it’s about optimizing muscle recovery, enhancing joint flexibility, and flushing out metabolic waste that builds up after those long sparring sessions. Think of it as hitting the “reset button” for your body’s performance systems. Ignore it, and you’re slowly trading longevity for short-term grind.
Why Your Muscles Aren’t Healing Like They Used To
If you’ve noticed that it takes longer to bounce back from training these days, it’s not just age — it’s neglected recovery. Jiu-Jitsu is brutal on the fascia — that thin web of connective tissue holding everything together. When it tightens or scars, your range of motion tanks, and your power output drops. That’s where Rolfing and holistic bodywork step in.
According to MedicinEvolution Bodywork Beyond Massage in Dublin, CA, combining sports massage with Rolf structural integration can realign the fascia, restore mobility, and significantly reduce chronic tightness common in grapplers. It’s not mystical — it’s mechanical. More blood flow means faster tissue repair, less inflammation, and fewer “nagging” pains that sideline your training week after week.
Beyond the Mat: Building a Recovery Ritual That Works
Here’s what separates elite Jiu-Jitsu competitors from the rest: they don’t wait to break before they recover. They plan it. Integrating sports massage therapy into your monthly schedule isn’t a luxury — it’s a strategy. Pair it with active recovery methods like foam rolling, contrast baths, and mobility work, and you’ll notice your grip endurance, explosiveness, and overall resilience skyrocket.
Recent research from Sports Medicine Journal (2025) shows that athletes who maintained a structured recovery regimen, including massage, saw a 25% reduction in soft tissue injuries and improved sleep quality — one of the biggest markers of athletic longevity.
In short? You can’t roll hard if your body’s falling apart. Stop treating recovery like a side quest — it’s part of your game plan.
Are You an Athlete Experiencing Pain But Don’t Know Where to Turn for Help?
Beyond Ergonomics gives athletes and desk professionals answers to their pain problems. Body imbalances, repetitive use, and lack of movement are the cause of many injuries and pain. Beyond Ergonomics helps you discover your imbalances and create change. MedicinEvolution’s purpose is to reduce pain and other symptoms that you haven’t had luck with. MedicinEvolution Bodywork Beyond Massage is the solution for many problems plaguing your body. Make your appointment today!
