Why You Need A Sports Massage
What Is It?
A sports massage is a form of soft tissue manipulation, used to elicit change on specific areas of the body. Different techniques are used to achieve different outcomes, such as increasing blood circulation, relaxing tired muscles and conversely, waking them up before sport.
The Benefits Of A Sports Massage
- Reduction in pain: Same as the ‘rub it better’ approach when we stub our toes or bang our head. The stimulation of touch fibres blocks the pain signals to the brain!
- Reduce Muscle Spasm: We aim to break the cycle of pain causing muscle spasm and muscle spasms causing pain. Spasmed muscles can compress blood vessels – by relaxing the muscles we reintroduce local circulation of the area which improves the health of the area and reduces pain!
- Reduce DOMS and Aid in Exercise Recovery: Massage flushes out the lactic acid build up that causes delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after activity. It will also help you getting back into activity sooner without the interruption of DOMS.
- Psychological Effect – not to be underestimated!:
- Activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the one that slows the heart rate) and allows the body to relax.
- Improves sleep by releasing the hormone serotonin, which in turns produces melatonin which helps us fall asleep.
- Reduces the production of Cortisol, which is the stress hormone and is bad for us.
Suggested Massage Schedule For Stress, Sleep And Anxiety:
30-minute massage x 2 a week for 4 consecutive weeks.
Who Is It For?
In short, nearly anyone who participates in any activity or movement! Sports massage can be tailored to most people’s needs – from a weightlifter feeling DOMS after a heavy session, to a gardener who has a stiff back and would like to help maintain a pain free back. Sports people and non-sports people alike can benefit from a sports massage; it is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Is The Difference Between A Sports Massage And Other Massages?
It is more targeted and tailored to the individual’s needs. It can be on the more gentle-side if relaxation is the desired outcome, or firmer and deeper if there is a specific goal to be achieved. It often can be focused on one specific area of the body, but can cover a bigger area if necessary.
If you would like more information about our Sports Massage service, head over to our contact page and send us a message to find out more and check availability.
Posted in Athletes, health, Self Care, Sports Massage, Sports Physiotherapy and tagged deep tissue massage, massage, physiotherapy, relaxation, sports massage, sports therapy, stress, therapy
