Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage has been utilized as an active recovery for thousands of years now, and anyone that engaging in physical activity for sports, fitness or recreation can benefit from becoming sports massage. The great thing about sports massage is that anyone can get it if they are young or old. It doesn't matter how young or fit you are because it works exactly the same on both. There is a principle behind this type of treatment called meridian therapy. Fundamentally, meridian therapy involves targeting specific points along energy channels to restore balance inside the body.
There are many benefits to getting a sports massage besides restoring physical equilibrium. Among the most notable and approved benefits of sports massage is that it enhances blood flow. Lymphatic fluids drain to your lower extremities to keep you oxygenated, flush out any unwanted waste products, and allow you to move freely throughout the day. Sports massage helps circulate lymph fluid which is important to keeping you healthy and free of congestion. If you feel constricted or congestion on your upper body, then it might be due to a congested lymphatic system.
When you get a sports massage, the therapist will concentrate 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 they don't tear when you move. Some therapists use light hand motions to help loosen up tight muscles.
There are particular muscle groups which are known to be painful after performing a certain motion or engaging in a specific activity. By way of example, if you were to rub your upper back muscles, then you could likely expect some pain. When a therapist gives a sports massage, he or she concentrates on those muscle groups to release muscle tension and alleviate pain. In fact, most frequent sports related injuries happen due to overuse of muscles in the wrong areas.
Using a sports massage, the therapist will typically begin 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 every stroke. More pressure is applied, and the muscles are stretched and manipulated more intensely. After the massage, your therapist may apply a cooling pad to minimize swelling and inflammation.
Although this sounds like a very simple procedure, this type of massage therapy is not something that ought to 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 know about what's happening to you during the process. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
If you have soft tissue repair requirements, you may experience muscle stiffness also. This is normal when you first get your therapy and usually goes away within a day. Your therapist may suggest a day or two of rest after your sports massage, based on your injury and current condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, ask if there's a possibility of using heat or ice therapy on your injury.
Sports massage therapy is not for everybody. In case you've got active or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair isn't an ideal solution. However, if you suffer from chronic pain, have fractures, or other issues that affect the ligaments, tendons, and other cells, you should consider it. Even if you are generally healthy, receiving a therapeutic sports massage can help reduce the amount of stress on your body, improve circulation, and encourage proper joint mobility. This is a fantastic activity to enhance your health regimen!