You could be doing exercises in preparation for a competition, for stress relief, or just for the fun of it. But your muscles need to undergo a process of rebuilding and regaining every broken part during workout routines. Do you really need a sports massage to get this done?
What exactly is a Sports Massage?
Sports massage is an activity that involves developing the muscles and promoting a flexible and good optimal condition of soft tissues.
A licensed massage therapist with Zeel, Annette Marshall, explains that: "the process of Sports massage involves techniques that improve blood circulation and flexibility by breaking up muscle knots, and also massaging the deep tissues."
Sports massage helps your body relax with a good and healthy feeling after an overworked session. But do you really need a sports massage?
These five signs show that you may need a sports massage:
- You may need a sports massage if you haven't had it done in a long while. Massage therapists do advise people to take massages at least twice every month. It is best for people who are having injuries that they are trying to rehabilitate.
- You should consider a sports massage if you do not get good periods of sleep. Good sleep helps to revitalise you, and the lack of this only does the exact opposite. Sports massage helps to ease muscle tension and promote good sleep.
- You need a massage when you are stressed. The fact that a lot of pressure surrounding you keeps you regularly stressed out shows that you need something to help you relax your muscles. Sports massage helps to increase relaxation by reducing muscle stiffness and soreness.
- You experience recurrent body pains. While pain may be positive by letting you know of something wrong about your body, it, however, could get worse when ignored. Studies show that sports massage therapy can relieve pains and hasting the healing process of damaged areas of the body while enhancing blood flow. A session with a massage therapist would help alleviate the pain.
- You are training for a competition. Sustaining an injury ahead of an event is not ideal. Sports massage can help you prevent damage and aid healing process, while also getting your muscles and the whole body ready.
There are countless benefits to derive from sports massage. It would boost your circulatory system, reduce or prevent possible injuries and flexibility, among others.
But while the idea may sound good, it is pertinent to know a most-suitable type of massage for you and also things to do before you fix an appointment with a massage therapist.
Types of Massage
1. Deep tissue massage
This type of massage is suitable for people having acute muscle problems such as imbalance, injuries, or soreness. It can also help to relieve anxiety and tight muscles. During the 45-60 minutes process of the massage, the therapist relieves muscle tension using deep finger and slow strokes.
While this massage type may be intense, you should not feel soreness or pains as a result. However, this particular type of massage is not advisable if you are very sensitive to pressure.
2. Swedish massage
This popular form of massage is specifically ideal for people who are new to the massage system and wants to manage minor pains. It is a gentle type of massage also for people having lots of tension and wants to relax.
Sports massage, however, is an excellent procedure that is mainly for people who are prone to injuries. It also increases the performance of people who have regular workout routines.
Sports massage relieves anxiety and pain, improves flexibility, and reduces muscle tension. It could run between 60 – 90 minutes. Ensure that whatever clothes you have on is loose, and allows easy access to your muscles.
Out of all the massage procedures available, sports massage is a mixture of the above techniques and is the best to increase your athletic performance and boost your recovery rate after a workout session.
In conclusion, sports massage is a lot beneficial to sporting personnel. It focuses on the muscles affected, it can help flush out lactic acid, restoring your whole body.
