Roman as well as Greek athletes used massage techniques as well as other types of training in preparation to compete in athletics during earlier times. In the 1960s, which was more recent athletes from the former communist bloc as well as U.S.S.R. began traveling at first, using massage therapists. What did Romans, Greeks and communists have to be aware of? It is a form of massage that is specifically designed for those who engage in sports. It has four objectives including preventing injuries, keeping your body at the top state of health, preparing your body for optimal performance, and helping to recover from strain and injuries.
What is What is Massage?
There are more kinds that you know about: Swedish aromatherapy, hot stones deep tissue, and aromatherapy. Other kinds of massage include reflexology, trigger point Shiatsu, Thai, prenatal couples, chair sports, and many more. Every type of massage employs different techniques targeted to different muscles with different goals.
Massage isn’t just ideal for elite or competitive athletes but is also beneficial to those who want to stay active and physically fit as they can. All people on the spectrum, massage for sports provides more flexibility, better performance, decreased anxiety, pain and less tension in the muscles. Your massage therapist will, while working on your entire body , as needed and systematically massage the muscles and soft tissues of your body which are affected as well as affected by activity or sport.
Sports Massage for elite athletes
Professional athletes who receive sports massage usually take part in massages right before events often between events or heats of an event and often immediately following an event, in addition to during training or post-competition intervals. The elite athlete may prefer having massages performed by an accredited sports massage therapist. In Canada the massage therapists for sports take part in the National Sports Massage Certification program.
Sports Massage for Active People
People who love sporting activities for recreation will definitely benefit from massages performed by the help of a qualified sports massage therapist however, they could also benefit from the benefits of sports massage near me – relief from cramps, aches, tension and pain in the fingertips of the massage therapist who might not have certification in that specific area. Even if you do not participate in competitions massage therapists can help you lead a physically active lifestyle while minimizing the chance of injury as well as the fastest and complete recuperation from any injuries that may occur.
What are the advantages for Sports Massage?
Massage therapy for sports offers a range of benefits for athletes and people who are active from all ages and levels. Everyone is different studies into massage therapy has revealed the benefits of massage:
More range of motion, and greater flexibility
An increased psychological and emotional feeling of wellbeing
Relaxed muscles and less spasms
Better circulation of blood and better rest
In a study in 2016 carried out by Oxford University, sports massage could provide relief from pain
The research conducted at McMaster University in 2012 that a well-timed massage can alleviate the pain of injured muscles by sending anti-inflammatory signals to enhance muscle growth and may even increase the size of mitochondria, which are the components of our cells responsible for generating energy from our food sources.
The same study from McMaster found that massages for sports resulted in a shorter recovery time between training and competitions
A study from August 2013 entitled “Effects from Swedish massage in relation to blood pressure, heart rate and inflammation factors in overweight women” appeared in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The study did not address the specific benefits of massage for sports, but it did reveal the advantages of massage in general lower blood pressure and heart rate decreased recovery time, increased rehabilitation, decreased anxiety and mood improvement increased circulation of blood and oxygen as well as pain relief. It also improved elasticity and healing, and stabilized stress hormones.
The manipulation of the muscles and soft tissues frequently causes tenderness or stiffness of the muscles for a day or two following your treatment. This stiffness and tenderness is normal and will go away rapidly. The massage therapist you choose will inform you what you can expect. However, if you’re worried about post-massage tingling sensations or how long they’ll last you should contact your massage therapist immediately for help.
Understanding the limitations of sports massage
It is also important to know the advantages sports massage can’t provide. When you are evaluating a possible professional in sports massage, it’s crucial to make sure that the person you’re evaluating isn’t exaggerating and you’re not setting unrealistic expectations.
Massage therapy doesn’t help break down the lactate that is accumulating in your muscles, causing soreness in your muscles. The time and duration of exercise or active techniques for recovery break down the acid. Massage is not the answer.
A study titled “Effect of massage therapy for sports on recovery and performance A thorough review with a meta-analysis” has been published by BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. The study revealed that massage does not increase speed of sprints and jump distances. It does not improve measurement of strength. In addition, it does not reverse the decline in force or velocity, which is only recovered through rest.
These results are crucial to be aware of since massage therapy is not an alternative to hard work and training. In conjunction with training and effort However, the enhanced flexibility, relaxation, enhanced range of motion, as well as relief at certain trigger points that are a result of massages for sports can result in improved recreational and athletic performance.
What can you expect during an exercise Massage
Every athlete, whether elite or recreational is unique and has distinct goals, and every massage therapist has their own style and specializations however, there are some aspects of sports massages which are the same across all sports. Here are a few of the things you can expect from the next sports massage.
The first thing to do is expect your sports massage therapist ask you plenty of questions. These questions could be: What’s bothering you? What type of workout are you doing or what kind of activities do you take part? Are you suffering from any injuries? Your truthful and accurate answers will enable your massage therapist deliver the maximum benefits for you.
The second reason is that sports massage can differ from the massages that relieve stress. While a massage for stress relief may be a treatment for the entire body, a sports massage tends to concentrate on specific problem areas or muscle groups that are that are involved in the sport or exercise of your choice, and trigger points of these muscle groups.
Third, you could be pleasantly surprised by the range of techniques that you’ll be able to experience during a single massage session, depending on the massage therapist’s opinion on what could be beneficial to you. There are also the Swedish style of techniques, such as stroking or petrissage, effleurage, or kneading. Other kinds of massages you might encounter include stretching, gliding, vibrating tapping, rhythmic strikes as well as friction, compression or. If at any point any method causes you to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable in some way make certain to let the massage practitioner know as soon as you notice.
As mentioned earlier it’s normal to feel sore after the session of sports massage when there are a lot of trigger points stimulated, and tight muscles regions are stretched, and it can feel sore or your muscles might feel stiff the following day.
No matter if you’re an elite sportsperson or someone who is a fan of physical activity as part of an active life style, sports massage can offer advantages that range from improving your mental well-being to speedier recovery. Find out the benefits of massage for sports and other massage therapies, contact us today to set up an appointment and get answers to your questions.
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