What is a sports massage?

It is a common misconception that sports massages are strictly for those high performance athletes when in fact the truth is that they are highly beneficial for everyone and anyone, regardless of sporting or athletic ability. Due to advertising campaigns, we are often mislead to believe that we have to be a professional footballer or avid gym goer to reap any sort of benefits from having a sports massage, however many people who do little or no exercise enjoy everything that they have to offer.

Sports massages are designed to provide you with a deep and rehabilitating process that manipulates the soft tissue, making sure to prevent injury, elevate the muscle or to get rid of any tension or stress the muscles are experiencing.

Sports massages aren’t just for athletes…

You don’t have to be a gym bunny, marathon monster or cross-fit connoisseur to feel as if you have the right to pop into your local sports masseuse or physiotherapist for a good old body rub down… it is accessible to anyone, no matter what type of lifestyle you lead.

If you work in an office in environment and are sat at your desk day in-day out then it is very possible that you will suffer from some sort of muscular or body pain, which can then have a very negative impact on your work ethic and productivity.

If you are a labourer or have a physical job such as farming or brick laying then your body will certainly feel the result of constantly manually lifting and carrying heavy objects, therefore you could really benefit from a sports massage.

Many full time dads enjoy sports massage therapy as it helps to relax both their body and mind when things at home get a little chaotic.

Even artists and creatives use sports massage therapy to help them release physical and mental tension!

Sports massage therapy serves many different purposes and it is important to remember that it does not just help you physically but can be very positive for your mental head space too.

Benefits of Sports Massages –

  • Reduces body pain (back pain, leg pain, etc.)
  • Reduces any muscle tension or pain
  • Helps to increase flexibility
  • Helps to improve posture
  • Reduces headaches and migraines
  • Helps with your range of movement
  • Improves circulation
  • Helps reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression
  • Helps you to feel calm and relaxed
  • Helps with fatigue

How is a sports massage performed?

During a sports massage the therapist will use myofascial release methods to carefully stretch the fascia which is a fibrous network of connective tissue that surrounds organs, bones, muscles and tendons throughout the body.

Physical trauma, poor posture or other physical stress can cause them to become week and loose and this loss of flexibility can cause pain or discomfort. Sports massages help to manipulate and repair, making your body feel like brand new.

4 Categories of sports massage therapy

  • Pre event – Performed on the areas of the body that will be used the most during activity, usually 15-40 minutes before it takes place.
  • Post event – Aiding the tissue to normalise, a post event massage is usually performed around 2 hours after the activity.
  • Restorative – This is usually performed on an on-going basis for those who are training regularly and do not wish to get injured or for other health benefits.
  • Rehabilitative – Used to return the tissue to normal and help with pain caused from injury.

Different techniques used for sports massage therapy

  • Soft tissue release
  • Muscle Energy
  • Trigger point work

Your body’s reaction to a sports massage

via GIPHY

Your body’s reaction to a sports massage depends on your physical state and the reason you are seeking one, however most people feel a result around 24-48 hours after the massage session is complete. It is highly likely that you might feel sore or tender for a few days after but this is all completely normal after having a sports massage – especially if it is your first one!

The following blog post What is a sports massage? is courtesy of: Angels of Heathrow Service

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