16 Jul Benefits of Sports Massage Therapy
Athletes and non-athletes can gain both physiological and psychological benefits from receiving sports massage therapy. Even if you’re a beginner, this kind of a massage will prove to be beneficial for your overall health. However, these massages are primarily intended to serve athletes. They are mainly used to prevent and relieve injuries, to prepare athletes for their best performance, relieve muscle tension and improve flexibility and overall performance.
When to Undergo A Sports Massage?
Poor athletic performance can be easily avoided by using a sports massage as a preventive tool, for tension reduction and muscle stretching. It can be also effective during sport events, especially in case of injuries, but it’s most welcomed after training. Sports therapists first deal with soft tissues, and in order to get them prepared for some deeper work, they mainly use rubbing motions. This is supposed to stimulate the tissue and enhance blood circulation, which can also speed up the recovery time from any injuries.
How Does a Sports Massage Work?
The main difference between a traditional and a sports massage is the fact that the sports massage mimics an exercise and uses stretching, in a similar way that you stretch before a workout. You should also stretch after the training, or you can let your therapist do that for you. This will eventually increase your flexibility and allow you a wider range of movements.
Be careful who you choose as a therapist, though. A sports massage therapist needs to be skilled and experienced in his field, so make sure to ask about their work experience.
The Benefits of Sports Massage
Let’s get to the benefits! There are numerous benefits of having a massage, let alone a sports massage. Some of the reported benefits include:
- Pain control
- Stimulates relaxation
- Greater overall flexibility and higher range of movements
- Promotes blood circulation
- Decreased muscle tension
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Helps decrease anxiety
- Decreased chance of injury
- Improves recovery from sports injuries
How Much Do Sports Massages Cost?
If you have decided to splurge on a good quality sports massage session, be prepared to pay anywhere for $20 to over a $100 for an hour-long treatment. In case you need a little more then just a session a week, you can always invest in a foam roller or home foot massager – ideal for runners!
Conclusion
If you are still in doubt on weather a sports massage is right for you, just ask yourself – what do I have to lose? Muscle tension!?
Remember, it can be used pre-performance, post-performance, during training or for rehabilitation. So basically, you can’t go wrong. Aside from the physical benefits, it can help decrease any anxiety or stress you may be feeling.
Sources:
- The Benefits of Sports Massage, verywell fit
- What Are the Benefits of Sports Massage Therapy?, LIVESTRONG.COM
- Why You Need a Sports Massage, ACTIVE