What is sports massage?
Sports massage therapy is a therapeutic massage that consists of relatively deep work targeting specific physical needs.
Although anyone can benefit from this therapeutic massage, it is especially beneficial for those active in sports. For an athlete in particular, it is generally used before, during and after an event where they exert and exhaust the muscles.
Benefits
Sports massage benefits the individual by preparing the body for peak performance. This type of massage is excellent for reducing pain, increasing blood circulation and lymph flow, eliminating muscle fatigue, relieving swelling and releasing tension.
All of these benefits of sports massage in turn promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Maintaining flexibility reduces stiffness and soreness while creating less stress on the joints from the muscles. Less joint stress results in fewer opportunities for injury.
Individuals who receive sports massage therapy on a regular basis will learn to become more aware of their own body and its signals of distress. This awareness allows them to heed the warnings and prevent further problems.
They will also benefit from faster healing from injuries sustained during activity, stronger muscles and increased endurance.
If you have never had a massage before, we recommend that you do not start your massage experiences with this type of massage. Choose a Swedish massage instead.
What to expect from a sports massage
Before starting, be sure to tell your therapist about previous injuries. Include your athletic activity or training, which sports, activities, or events you have been participating in, etc.
This information allows them to address your needs more specifically.
This type of massage is generally available for either 50 or 80 minutes. If you really want quality time spent on certain areas, please select the 80-minute when booking your massage.
Your massage therapist will ask you to disrobe, leave the room and provide privacy. You will lay on the table as they have advised, either face up or face down to start.
Once starting the massage service, the therapist will use massage oil or cream for the massage. Advise them if the pressure is ever too deep.
The main purpose of sports massage is to help reduce stress and release tension from the body’s soft tissue that has built up during your physical activity. Expect deep work mixed in with Swedish massage techniques and possibly some point work. Point work could be incorporated via neuromuscular therapy, reflexology or shiatsu along the acupressure points.
In addition, expect the application of general stretching.
After your treatment and how often to receive sports massage therapy
After your sports massage, you may feel a bit tender in the places where the deep work was performed. This is normal and should pass within a day or two.
Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins that were released. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, caffeine and processed foods.
Do your stretches to maintain your flexibility and keep up with your massage treatments.
How often you receive a sports massage may correspond directly with how often you overexert yourself.
If you are an athlete in training, a general guideline would be to go at least once a week. More often is better to maintain muscle health and joint flexibility.
If you work out regularly but are not training for an event, you may find that once a week is perfect. Consult with your massage therapist for a basic guideline, but your body will be the best judge of your needs.
If you have tenderness from your service, refrain from deep work until the areas have healed. In the meantime, a Swedish massage would be an excellent choice to help maintain muscle health, without causing injury to sensitive areas.
Categories for Sports Massage Therapy
Bodywork Treatments
Types of Massage
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