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Sports Massage
Sports Massage is a type of massage that has increasingly been integrated into
an athlete’s regimen. Utilizing the manipulation and stretching of muscle and
their connective tissue, sports massage is effective in enhancing bodily functions
and has been known to increase one’s athletic performance by 20%. Regardless
of your physical shape, sports massage is effective in maximizing your physical
condition while reducing the risk of injury or pain.
The purpose of a Sports Massage is to aid in the alleviation of stress and
tension in your body tissue that accumulates during physical activity. It aids
in the reduction of injuries as it prevents overextension and overuse of your
muscles. Additionally, Sports Massage enhances physical performance as it increases
flexibility, reduces muscle tension, and drains away fatigue. Sports Massage
also has a variety of overall health benefits that includes increasing blood
flow and therefore maximizing your supply of nutrients and oxygen. It is generally
performed at four different points of physical activity for athletes where the
type of massage techniques varies. The four stages of Sports Massage are:
A Training Massage: used a day before a competition, the purpose of
this massage is to prepare the body for maximum use and the massage is particularly
vigorous to the point of being almost painful.
A Preparation Massage: used just prior to a competition, the purpose
of this massage is to aid prevent muscle and tendon injuries and the massage
is usually a slow, light, stimulating treatment.
A Break Massage: used during performance, the purpose of this massage
is to restore energy in muscles.
An Anti-Fatigue Massage: used after the completion of a competition,
the purpose of this massage is to restore the proper level of oxygen in muscles
as well as aid in muscle relaxation and recovery. The massage is particularly
vigorous to the point of being almost painful.
Additionally, Sports Massage is a recommended recuperative treatment for individuals
rehabilitating from a physical injury. Despite the various stages and reasons
for receiving a Sports Massage, the majority of techniques used in Sports Massage
are rooted in Swedish massage techniques. However, there are a number of different
Sports Massage techniques that can be used. These include a Deep Swedish Massage,
which is a muscle-specific application of Swedish massage. Compression Massage
softens muscles with a rhythmic compression of muscles and is used generally
used as a warm up for more specific massage work. Cross-Fiber Massage is used
to create a stretching effect within large muscle groups and uses techniques
that emphasize friction. The Trigger Point/Tender Point massage applies finger/thumb
pressure on the various trigger/tender points in muscle and connective tissue.
It is used to reduce hypersensitivity of specific points found on the body.
Lymphatic Massage stimulates the lymphatic-drainage pathways within the body
and therefore improves the body’s removal o edemas and effusion.
Regardless of the kind of Sports Massage a person receives, that individual
will have a relaxing treatment that improves overall health by stimulating blood
circulation within the body and relieve muscle soreness. Sports Massage is believed
to be three to five times more effective in combating fatigue than resting.
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