Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage has been used as an active healing for thousands of years now, and anybody that engaging in physical activity for sports, fitness or recreation can definitely benefit from becoming sports massage. The excellent thing about sports massage is that anyone can get it whether they are young or old. It doesn't matter how young or fit you are because it works the same on both. There is a principle behind this sort of treatment called meridian therapy. Fundamentally, meridian therapy involves targeting specific points along energy channels to restore balance inside the body.
There are many benefits to getting a sports massage besides restoring physical equilibrium. One of the most notable and accepted benefits of sports massage is that it enhances lymphatic circulation. Lymphatic fluids drain to your lower extremities to keep you oxygenated, flush out any unwanted waste products, and help you move freely during the day. Sports massage helps circulate lymph fluid which is important to keeping you healthy and free of congestion. If you feel constricted or congestion on your upper body, then it may be due to a congested lymphatic system.
When you get a sports massage, the therapist will focus 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 tendons, 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 certain muscle groups which are known to be painful after performing a specific motion or engaging in a certain activity. By way of example, if you were to rub your upper back muscles, then you could likely expect some pain. When a therapist provides a sports massage, he or she focuses on those muscle groups to release muscle tension and relieve pain. In fact, most frequent sports related injuries happen due to overuse of muscles in the wrong locations.
With a sports massage, the therapist will typically begin by applying a topical anesthetic or nitrous 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. Following the massage, your therapist might apply a cooling pad to minimize swelling and inflammation.
Although this sounds like a simple procedure, this sort of massage therapy isn't something that ought to be done"just for fun". Although this isn't considered a medical treatment, your therapist is still coping with your mind/body connection and your own emotions. Therefore, you must know about what's happening to you through the process. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
If you've got soft tissue repair requirements, you might experience muscle stiffness as well. This is normal when you first get your treatment and usually goes away within a day. Your therapist may suggest a day or two of rest after your sports massage, based on your injury and present condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, then ask whether there's a possibility of using ice or heat treatment on your injury.
Sports massage therapy isn't for everyone. In case you have active or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair isn't a perfect solution. However, 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're generally healthy, receiving a therapeutic sports massage can help reduce the amount of stress on your body, improve circulation, and encourage proper joint mobility. This is a great activity to enhance your health regimen!