Regular sports massage is a necessary procedure for every athlete and active individuals. It gives a vast range of benefits that consequently help to facilitate efficiency in training, competitions, and workout routines. So, what does sports massage have over the general massage, which does not necessarily involve athletes or active individuals?
Sports Massage is a system of massage therapy that is designed to make an athlete effective in achieving his athletic goals. It can be used as a preventive measure, to prevent the advent of a possible injury and as a recovery measure, to speed up a healing process.
On the other hand, General body massage is a systematic procedure that involves applying pressure on the surface of the skin with hands, forearms, fingers, knees, elbows, feet, or devices — it works towards relieving stress or reducing the pains of patients.
It is advisable to consult your doctor if you see a need for a massage while having medical conditions including- blood clots, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, or pregnancy. And as a sick person, apart from the possibility of infecting a massage therapist, having a body massage can increase the level of body temperature and sickness.
Body massage has so much that you can benefit from as a patient. But if sports massage has a design that is modeled for sports or active individuals, what then could be the benefits of sports massage over general massage?
1. Pain and Stiffness Relief
Well, except that sports massage, as the name implies, is geared towards active individuals and athletes. You can employ it whether as a pre- or post-performance treatment. And it can also be administered as a general massage, to relief pains and stiffness of patients.
2. Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Injury
Athletes are often prone to injury. And unlike the general massage, sports massage can be harnessed as part of a training session to help prevent injuries of athletes; to treat injuries, to prepare for a competition, or to wound down after a competition. The general massage though addresses pains but does not directly help individuals prone to injury.
3. Increased Circulation of Blood
Blood flow is an essential feature of every living being. When blood circulates properly within an individual system, it moves oxygen and essential nutrients to every part of the body. This process helps to flush out wastes and toxins within the body and reduces pressure on the heart.
However, regular medical care shouldn’t stop for those with a medical condition. Your health care professional should be in touch with the progress of your health, as this procedure is not a replacement.
4. Reduces Stress
Athletes and active individuals have tendencies of elevated blood pressure as a result of constant training and workouts routines. This benefit, in turn, can potentially help to reduce depression, anxiety, and even hostility, which further improves the performance of the athlete.
General body massage works for individuals who do not necessarily undergo constant rigorous activity; hence, it does not require such drastic measures.
5. Speeds up Healing Process
Athletes need to be always fit for training and competitions. Hence, sports massage assists an active person to either prevent any possibility of injury or speed up healing of any impaired tissues and muscles. This process helps an athlete regain their energy and health for improved performance. General body massage does not speed up the healing process with this level of urgency.
6. Improved Function of the Immune System
According to a group of Massage professionals, having a sports massage will help you to develop a stronger immune system. This development reduces the risk of breaking down or falling ill. The massage procedure applies in both the general and sports, to stimulate the lymphatic system. This process, in turn, improves the function of the immune system to protect you for ailments effectively.
7. Break down scar tissue
When an individual has open wounds, surgeries, or other physical injuries in the past, the healing leaves a scar on the skin. This scar tissue can affect ligaments, muscles, or tendons. It can also discourage a balanced movement of the joints and can affect the flexibility of an athlete. Sports massage would break down scar tissue to improve mobility and flexibility.
8. Relaxation and sleep
Since athlete’s experience lots of strains from training which also have a toll on their mind, Sports massage facilitates relaxation; good rest or just quiet the mind. Unlike the general body massage, Sports massage would assist an athlete in being timely refreshed and rejuvenated for another rigorous training session.
In conclusion, it is recommended to get at least a massage per week and twice a month, as a preventive measure. Sports massage therapy has no side-effect for people without medical conditions such as; burns, open wounds, broken bones, bleeding disorders, ruptures, or recent surgeries.
