Whether on a field performing with your teammates, rehearsing dance steps in front of the mirror or running along a country road, taking part in any sports can be exhilarating and rewarding. It may be for the love of health, a drive to compete, or simply to finish a distance race, anyone who is active in sports strives to care for their body. Many people seek out a regular massage to help them perform at their best and reach their personal goals.
Maintaining your fit body
Generally, many sports and fitness enthusiasts rely on regular massage an a part of their health maintenance routine. The reason for this is because an area of chronic tension can impair performance and even lead to an injury when stressed. Assisted stretching, kneading and other massage techniques can loosen areas of chronic tension and help relieve new areas of tension before becoming chronic.
As a Massage Therapist, I will work related muscle groups, such as those in the upper back and chest. This will relieve that stress which may impair your body’s alignment and helps muscles throughout your body to work more efficiently together.
During a massage it is also a great time for you to relax and take the time to notice areas in your body that are both tight and painful. Developing the awareness of how your body feels and is moving can help you adjust or change your fitness routine to avoid future injury.
Massage after a strenuous workout
Often when vigorous exercise has left your muscles feeling fatigued, stiff and sore, massage can be a welcomed help and relief. What massage will do is stretch and lengthen shortened muscles and reduce spasms. The gentle kneading will improve circulation and in return speeds up the removal of waste products that can make you sore, while also bringing the oxygen and nutrients which are needed for your muscles to rejuvenate. A deeply relaxing massage will also promote restful sleep, allowing the muscle tissue time to repair naturally.
Pre-event Massage
Massage can help you prepare for a competitive event. A massage before an event is brief, invigoration and usually only fifteen to twenty minutes long. It is given within an hour before your event, right through the clothing that you are wearing. As your therapist I will rock and jostle your arms and legs, along with the use of compression – firm and repetitive palm pressure into the belly of the muscles. These strokes will naturally warm the muscles while energize. Several Athletes use this time to focus and visualize their success of the coming event.
Post-event Massage
After the event and you have cooled down, you will fine that a post event massage will be both calming and relaxing. During this massage, use the time to focus on the release of any pain to ease soreness while reducing inflammation. Again, as your therapist, I will use a slow compression stroke to bring the blood and oxygen to tense areas and to help flush out toxins which have built up during the heavy muscle use. I will lightly jostle and shake your arms and legs, along with helping you to stretch your muscles. Usually you can expect your post –event massage to last from 15 to 20 minutes. Again this massage is also given through you clothing.
Massage for Sports Injuries
To anyone who loves to be active, an injury is more than just pain and frustration. When your passion is your sport, and your sport is your passion, any injury can be, not just physically painful, but also emotionally devastating.
There are a variety of massage modalities that can help with injuries such as tendinitis, muscle strains and ligament sprains. Because massage increases circulation, it can also reduce swelling and increase the supply of nutrients needed for healing.
Additionally, your body often repairs injuries with scar tissue consisting of tightly matted fibers referred to as collagen. These collagen fibers tear and tear again easily, making the healing process difficult, at the least, often causing your movement to be painful or restricted. The appropriate massage modality or techniques can help to limit scar tissue formation in the new injuries, while also reducing and making the tissue more pliable, around the old injury. The end result will be that your muscles will move more freely and with less pain.
There may be some discomfort experienced at first with massage, in the area of an injury or pain, but the sensation should lessen after a few minutes. It is always a good practice to let me, the therapist, know if you are having any discomfort during your session. I will always work within your comfort level by using less pressure or changing to a different modality.
