Sports Massage is a type of massage that is used to work on athletes of all levels of training from the weekend warrior to professional sports teams. People who do sports massage can be professional massage therapists or some athletic trainers may also do sports massage if it is allowed in their state licensing. Sports activities massage was originally designed to assist athletes prepare their bodies for optimum efficiency, recover right after a large occasion, or function properly in the course of education. Sports activities massage emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to your muscles and tendons. Sports massage is really helpful for the individual who has injuries, chronic pain or restricted selection of movement.
The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. The massage will help prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Sports massage can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether a person is an athlete or a once a week jogger.
FOUR TYPES OF SPORTS MASSAGE
- Pre-event sports activities massage — a brief, stimulating massage 15 – 45 minutes just before the event. It truly is directed toward the parts in the entire body that can be associated with the exertion.
- Post-event sports activities massage — given inside an hour or two of the event, to normalize the body’s tissues.
- Restorative sports activities massage — given during education to allow the athelete to train more difficult and with much less injury.
- Rehabilitative sports massage — aimed at alleviating ache as a result of injury and returning your body to well being.
BENEFITS
Sports massage has many benefits, sports massage reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility, and relieves pain. Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports Massage can also include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time.