Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage has been used as an active recovery for thousands of years now, and anyone 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 anyone can get it whether they are young or old. It doesn't matter how young or fit you are because it still works exactly 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 enhances lymphatic circulation. Lymphatic fluids drain into your lower extremities to keep you oxygenated, flush out any unwanted waste products, and help you move freely throughout the day. Sports massage helps circulate lymph fluid which is key to keeping you healthy and free of congestion. If you feel constricted or congestion in your upper body, then it may 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 joints, 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 doing 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 focuses on these muscle groups to release muscle tension and alleviate pain. In actuality, most frequent sports related injuries happen due to overuse of muscles in the wrong areas.
Using a sports massage, the therapist will typically start by applying a topical anesthetic or nitrous oxide. The anesthetic numbness causes the muscles to relax, but it doesn't affect blood flow to the area, so the therapist uses more pressure with each stroke. More pressure is applied, and the muscles are stretched and manipulated more intensely. After 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 isn't something that should be done"just for fun". Although this is not considered a medical treatment, your therapist is still dealing with your mind/body connection and your emotions. Therefore, you must be aware of what is happening to you during the process. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
If you've got soft tissue repair requirements, you might experience muscle stiffness as well. This is normal when you first receive your therapy and usually goes away within 24 hours. Your therapist may suggest a day or two of rest after your sports massage, depending upon your injury and present condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, ask whether there is a possibility of using ice or heat treatment on your injury.
Sports massage therapy is not for everyone. In case you've got active or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair is not a perfect solution. However, if you suffer from chronic pain, have fractures, or other issues that affect the ligaments, tendons, and other tissues, you should think about it. Even if you're generally healthy, getting a therapeutic sports massage can help reduce the amount of stress on your body, improve circulation, and promote proper joint mobility. This is a great activity to enhance your health regimen!