Sports massage
is an application of massage techniques used to enhance athletic performance. If received regularly it may help athletes prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overused muscular motion. A constant build up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.
Exercise places a tremendous stress on the body. Intense training brings about progressive fatigue, and a decrease in effectiveness in the athlete’s activity. The athlete can become injury prone. Tremendous stress is placed on the tendons and ligaments, sometimes stretching them in excess and tearing the muscle fibers. Fluid accumulates, creating soreness and stiffness. Sports massage techniques stimulate the circulation and loosen the fibers that have been bound together. This enhances Lymph circulation, loosening the muscles, decreasing friction, and removing Lactic acids.
Sports Massage aims to increase the performance of the indivdual whilst reducing the incidence of injury. Sports massage encompasses pre- and post- event, during competition, training and conditioning and rehabilitation. It can enhance the flexibility of muscles, helping them to remain injury-free during performance, and to train without discomfort. Sports massage also treats injuries.
The goals of sports massage are:
- In pre-event, to enhance muscular tone and flexibility by preparing the athlete for all-out competition
- In post-event, to create a prolonged state of reduced muscular tension and to delay onset muscle soreness
- In training and conditioning, to help the athlete train more consistently without injury
- In rehabilitation to help the athlete to be able to return to the game more quickly and with less discomfort.
The sport massage therapist, is an essential part of the training team. The sports massage therapist may note pain or swelling, or muscle spasms of articulatory stiffness that signal serious injury that the athlete may not have detected. Early referrals to the appropriate sports medicine practitioner mean shorter periods of incapacity, and quicker recovery.
In conclusion by adding sports massages to your training or event/game will decrease your chance of injuries, recovery will be quicker in order for you to perform more quality sessions. If unsure check with your health practitioner first.
Mike Manoukian