The Benefits of Sports Massage
Sports massage can be used pre-performance, post-performance, during training, or for rehabilitation. From elite athletes to recreational exercisers, it is a popular choice.
What is a Sports Massage?
Sports massage is manipulation of the bodies soft tissue, often targeting specific knotted or tight areas. After repetitive exercise, often parts of the muscle will spasm and tighten, forming a small hard ball of facia known as a knot. Knots can be very painful and sometimes cause the muscle to function improperly, which down the line could cause an injury.
Many different movements and techniques are used in sports massage. Examples of these techniques include; effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), compression, friction, tapotement (rhythmic striking), vibration, gliding, stretching, percussion, and trigger points.
What are the benefits of a Sports Massage?
There are many benefits of a sports massage, not just for elite athletes but for a regular gym goer also. These include;
- Increased joint range of motion
- Injury prevention
- Alleviation of tight, sore muscles
- Decreased muscles spasms
- Better Sleep
Are there any side effects?
A day or two post massage, certain areas may feel sore or bruised. This is to be expected as the manipulation needs to break the scar or knotted tissue down, which requires some force. There is also the possibility of a skin reaction due to the oils that are used, but the therapist should go through this prior the starting the massage.
If you are a regular exerciser and you don’t foam roll, then a monthly massage is vital for the above reasons. Get in touch today and book your mobile sports massage through DC Personal Training and Sports Therapy.