Sports Massage
What Is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a form of massage involving the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit a person engaged in regular physical activity. Soft tissue is connective tissue that has not hardened into bone and cartilage; it includes skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a form of connective tissue that lines and ensheathes the other soft tissues).
Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury.
How Does Sports Massage Work?
Sports massage is thought to increase the blood flow surrounding the soft tissues. The deep sweeping motions also open up pores in the tissue membrane that allows for nutrients to pass into and out of the muscles. This combination of increased blood flow and more movement of nutrients allows for old stale red blood cells, white blood cells, inflammation and other chemicals to be flushed away and replaced, which is thought to help with recovery.
Sports massage can also be beneficial in reducing muscle or fascial tightness, also known as ‘muscle knots’ or ‘trigger points’. Often when you press a tight muscle you can feel a firm area that is often tender and sensitive. It might feel a pebble within the muscle. This would be a classic example of a ‘muscle knot’. A 'knot' is where muscle fibres are tightly contracted, and this tightly packed group of muscle fibres reduces its own blood supply, effectively squeezing it away. Without its blood supply the muscle fibres become starved of oxygen, which they need to survive.
The lack of oxygen results in pain and increased sensitivity to the area. Often these ‘muscle knots’ are so tight that stretching the muscle doesn’t help but a deep sports massage can manipulate the tissues, helping to restore flexibility, blood flow and reduce the sensitivity to the area.
What Are The Benefits Of Sports Massage Therapy?
Sports massage therapy has a number of proven health benefits :-
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Increased muscle blood flow
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Raised muscle temperature
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Increased lymph flow and the removal of toxins from the muscles
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Break down of adhesions and scar tissue which builds up over time causing tension
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Relieves muscular pain
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Physiological and psychological preparation for a race or event
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A positive sense of wellbeing, relaxation and lowered stress levels
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Improved sleep patterns
