For serious athletes and weekend warriors alike, sports massage can be very beneficial. Sports massage is like the more focused sibling of a deep tissue massage, targeting specific sports related muscles and connective tissue deep within the body. Sports massage can be used before, during or after an athletic event to boost performance and speed up recovery.
What is Sports Massage like?
Targeting the muscles systems related to your chosen sport, a sports massage has a lot to do with efficiency. Efficiency in muscle recovery and performance are critical to endurance levels, peak performance and preventing injuries. This is where highly specialized massage techniques can truly shine.
If you were to compare a sport massage to all the other types of massage, the intensity would fall somewhere between a swedish massage and therapeutic deep tissue massage. Specially designed to improve the efficiency of the muscles and soft tissues by increasing blood flow and assisting in the removal of lactic acid. A sports massage therapist will work on the area of the body that is critical to your sport of choice.
During a sports massage your massage therapist may use a combination of; Swedish style massage strokes, petrissage, effleurage, compression, friction, tapotement, stretching, trigger point therapy and even a little myofascial release. Stretching or range of motion exercises that are difficult to do without assistance are often included as well. All of these techniques and movements are designed to help the body achieve its maximum performance and decrease the chance of injuries or pain during heavy physical activities.
Benefits
Along with reports of decreasing the chance of sports injuries and pain, some of the other benefits of sports massage include:
- Increased flexibility
- Increases in range of motion
- decreased muscle tension post performance
- Improved sleep quality
- A reduction muscle spasms
- Resistance to sports related injuries
If you are physically active and want to reduce your chances of experiencing muscle spasms during athletic events or you just need a maintenance plan so you can keep active, this could be a great way to help you achieve your goals.
A Word From Alternative Therapy Center
Many athletes swear by sports massage for its many benefits. If your goal is to recover faster, perform better and reduce pre or post workout soreness in your muscle tissue, you may find sports massage can help you tremendously.
If you would like to book an appointment with one of our experienced sports massage therapists at The Alternative Therapy Center in Saint Petersburg. You can book online here. If you would like to speak to a massage therapist to see if sports massage could potentially help you resolve the pain or discomfort that you are experiencing. Give us a call at 727-822-9220