Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage has been used as an active healing for thousands of years now, and anybody that engaging in physical activity either for sports, fitness or recreation can definitely benefit from becoming sports massage. The great thing about sports massage is that anybody can get it if they are young or old. It doesn't matter how young or fit you are because it works the same on both. There is a principle behind this sort 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 bodily equilibrium. One of the most notable and approved benefits of sports massage is that it improves blood flow. 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 that's important to keeping you healthy and free of congestion. If you feel constricted or congestion in your upper body, then it might 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 massaging the muscles, stretching the tendons, and rubbing 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 that are known to be painful after performing a specific motion or engaging in a certain activity. By way of instance, if you were to rub your upper back muscles, you could likely expect some pain. When a therapist gives a sports massage, he or she concentrates on these muscle groups to release muscle tension and relieve pain. In actuality, most frequent sports related injuries happen due to overuse of muscles in the wrong locations.
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 may apply a cooling pad to minimize swelling and inflammation.
Although this seems like a simple procedure, this type of massage therapy is not something that should be done"just for fun". Although this is not considered a medical treatment, your therapist is still coping with your mind/body connection and your own emotions. Therefore, you must know about what is happening to you during the process. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
In case you've got soft tissue repair requirements, you might experience muscle stiffness as well. This is normal when you first receive your treatment and usually goes away within 24 hours. Your therapist may indicate a day or two of rest following your sports massage, based upon your injury and current condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, then ask if there is a possibility of using ice or heat therapy on your injury.
Sports massage therapy isn't for everyone. If you've got active or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair isn't a perfect solution. But if you suffer from chronic pain, have fractures, or other issues which affect the ligaments, tendons, and other cells, 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 encourage proper joint mobility. This is a fantastic activity to enhance your health regimen!