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 benefit from getting sports massage. The excellent thing about sports massage is that anyone can get it if they are old or young. It doesn't matter how young or fit you are because it still works the same on both. There is a principle behind this type of treatment called meridian therapy. Basically, meridian therapy involves targeting specific points along energy channels to restore equilibrium within the body.
There are many advantages to getting a sports massage besides restoring physical equilibrium. Among the most notable and approved benefits of sports massage is that it improves lymphatic circulation. Lymphatic fluids drain into your lower extremities to keep you oxygenated, flush out any unwanted waste products, and allow you to move freely during 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 may be due to a congested lymphatic system.
When you get a sports massage, the therapist will concentrate 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 joints, and massaging 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 movements 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. For example, if you were to rub your upper back muscles, then you could likely expect some pain. When a therapist gives a sports massage, then he or she focuses on these muscle groups to release muscle tension and alleviate pain. In actuality, most common sports related injuries happen as a result of overuse of muscles in the wrong areas.
With a sports massage, the therapist will typically start by applying a topical anesthetic or nitric 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 every stroke. More pressure is used, 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 sounds like a very simple procedure, this type of massage therapy isn't something that should be done"just for fun". Although this isn't considered a medical treatment, your therapist is still dealing with your mind/body connection and your emotions. Therefore, you must know about what's happening to you during the procedure. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
In case you have soft tissue repair requirements, you may experience muscle stiffness also. This is normal when you first get your treatment and usually goes away within a day. Your therapist may indicate a day or two of rest following your sports massage, depending upon your injury and current condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, ask whether there is a possibility of using ice or heat treatment on your injury.
Sports massage therapy is not for everyone. In case you have busy or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair is not a perfect solution. But if you suffer from chronic pain, have fractures, or other issues which affect the ligaments, tendons, and other tissues, you should think about it. Even if you are generally healthy, receiving a therapeutic sports massage can help to reduce the amount of stress in your body, improve circulation, and promote proper joint mobility. This is a great activity to enhance your health regimen!