Sports Massage and Immense Benefits
Sports massage is not a new technique. It has been used for a long time now. In fact, sports massage was a common activity during ancient Greece. This was an era when physicians utilized the art of kneading and rubbing to prepare athletes for crucial Olympic events.
With the introduction of the modern Swedish massage in the 1880s, it was used to aid fencers deal with varied kinds of aches and pains. These were common with professional athletics. Today, sports massage is known to be an excellent way for people to relax.
The major benefit of the massage is towards preparing muscles of athletes for exhausting workouts. It can also be used as a therapy to accelerate recovery from common problems such as strains, pulls, and other injuries commonly related to sports.
Sports massage can also be defined as a dedicated form of customary Swedish massage. The therapist will use pressure combined with long, regular strokes to provide relaxation to muscles. Different type of oils and lotions are utilized to minimize friction.
The therapist usually focuses on a specialized area that is used frequently by the individual during sports activity.
Other techniques are also used to aid break up of knots or adhesions in muscles. This improves flexibility of muscles and tones up the body.
Sports Massage can be categorized in to 4 basic categories.
These include the following:
Pre-Event Sports Massage:
The massage is performed to stretch as well as stimulate muscles just before a competition. The sports sessions usually lasts 30-45 minutes.
Post-Event Sports Massage:
The massage is done after a sports event. It is used to relax stressed muscles. This also facilitates restoration of tissue balance.
Restorative Sports Massage:
This is done during sports training. This allows athletes to prepare harder sans injury.
Rehabilitative Sports Massage:
The massage speeds up the healing process and minimizes pain resulting from pulls, strains, and other muscular injuries resulting from sports.
The sports massage is not meant just for athletes. This will help you to get relief from stress and pain resulting from wrong lifestyle and daily routine.
Sports massage is a right option for anyone who wants fast relief from pulls, injuries and daily stress. The therapy is available in day spas and massage parlors.
Benefits of Sports Massage:
There are many benefits that one can enjoy via using sports massage. There are psychological and physiological benefits of the massage.
Here is a list of benefits that come with this massage therapy:
* Improved flow of blood
* Enhanced joint range of motion (ROM)
* Increased flexibility in the body
* Elimination of harmful toxins and waste products from the body such as lactic acid
* Enhanced sense of well-being
* Reduces muscle tension
* Decreased neurological excitability
* Nerve relaxation
* Reduced vulnerability of body to injury
* Reduced recovery time between workouts
* Decreased muscle spasms
With so many benefits of sports massage, there is no reason that you should stay away from it. The massage will help you to stay away from stress and make your life happier and healthier.
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