Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage has been used as an active recovery for thousands of years now, and anybody that engaging in physical activity either for sports, fitness or recreation can benefit from getting sports massage. The excellent thing about sports massage is that anybody can get it if they are old or young. It doesn't matter how fit or young you are because it still works the same on both. There's a principle behind this sort of treatment called meridian therapy. Fundamentally, meridian therapy involves targeting specific points along energy channels to restore balance within the body.
There are many benefits to getting a sports massage besides restoring bodily balance. One of the most notable and accepted benefits of sports massage is that it improves blood flow. Lymphatic fluids drain to your lower extremities to keep you oxygenated, flush out any unwanted waste products, and allow you to move freely throughout the day. Sports massage helps circulate lymph fluid which is important to keeping you healthy and free of congestion. If you feel constricted or congestion in your upper body, then it might be due to a congested lymphatic system.
When you get a sports massage, the therapist will focus on the major muscle groups. This includes the shoulders, upper arms, back, hips, and buttocks. Most sports massage includes kneading and rubbing the muscles, stretching the tendons, and massaging the fascia, or connective tissues on the surface of the muscles. These tissues provide strength and flexibility to the muscles, but they also cushion the muscles so that they don't tear when you move. Some therapists use light hand movements to help loosen up tight muscles.
There are certain muscle groups which are known to be painful after performing a certain motion or engaging in a certain activity. By way of example, if you were to rub your upper back muscles, you could likely expect some pain. When a therapist provides a sports massage, he or she concentrates on those muscle groups to release muscle tension and relieve pain. In actuality, most frequent sports related injuries happen as a result of overuse of muscles in the wrong locations.
Using a sports massage, the therapist will typically begin by applying a topical anesthetic or nitrous oxide. The anesthetic numbness causes the muscles to relax, but it does not affect blood flow to the area, so the therapist uses more pressure with each stroke. More pressure is used, and the muscles are stretched and manipulated more intensely. Following the massage, your therapist might apply a cooling pad to minimize swelling and inflammation.
Although this sounds like a simple procedure, this sort of massage therapy is not something that should be done"just for fun". Although this is not considered a medical treatment, your therapist is still coping with your mind/body connection and your emotions. Therefore, you must be aware of what is happening to you through the process. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
In case you've got soft tissue repair needs, you might experience muscle stiffness as well. This is normal when you first receive your therapy and usually goes away within a day. Your therapist may indicate a day or two of rest following your sports massage, depending on your injury and current condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, then ask whether there is a possibility of using heat or ice treatment on your injury.
Sports massage therapy isn't for everyone. In case you have busy or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair isn't an ideal solution. However, if you suffer from chronic pain, have fractures, or other issues which affect the ligaments, tendons, and other cells, you should consider it. Even if you're generally healthy, receiving a therapeutic sports massage can help to reduce the amount of stress in your body, improve circulation, and promote proper joint mobility. This is a fantastic activity to enhance your health regimen!