As an athlete or sportsperson, finding your muscles filled with tension is a part of your routine. Often, it leads to aches and soreness. One of the best ways to tackle this is sports massage.
In this article we will talk about sports massage benefits in detail.
What is sports massage?
Sports massage is a specialised massage form that targets the muscles that are used in any specific sports. The purpose is to heal the injury caused by sports and help the player recover quickly.
Sports massage uses many techniques to decrease muscle pain. It attempts to improve the overall range of motion and ensure effective movement of affected body parts as soon as possible. Many techniques are used to help athlete’s bodies and decrease the chances of injury in the future.
It is a highly beneficial component of sports medicine with many proven benefits. It enhances the performance of an athlete and prevents injuries in the future. It is also good for post-injury rehabilitation.
The sports massage sessions are designed to address the exact needs of an individual. Here are the names of some techniques used in sports massage.
- Friction
- Tapotement (rhythmic striking)
- Vibration
- Gliding
- Stretching
- Percussion
- Trigger points
- Swedish style massage
- Effleurage (stroking)
- Petrissage (kneading)
- Compression
Importance of sports massage in rehabilitation
The role of sports massage in the rehabilitation phase is more than crucial. It promotes blood circulation, breaks down scar tissue, and facilitates tissue healing. Combined with other rehabilitation strategies, it helps restore an athlete’s functionality and prevent re-injury.
How does it help in pre-event preparation?
It increases blood flow to the muscles, reduces muscle tightness, and promotes muscle relaxation. This study published in the Journal of Sports and Medicine elaborates this point briefly.
It claims that pre-event sports massage significantly improves performance indicators in basketball players. Some of the indicators are vertical jump height and muscle strength. Even a simple massage is good can lead to a Why Does Massage Work: The Mitochondria (themedicalmassagelady.co.uk), according to tests. Mitochondria are required for cell growth and energy production.
However, the charges may increase if you take sports massage therapy from someone in another city. If you live in Nottingham, it would be better to book a sports massage in Nottingham.
How sports massage reduces muscle pain?
When we indulge in a rigorous activity, our body uses oxygen to fuel our muscles. But what if your activity level demands more than produced oxygen? Here is a defence mechanism that the body uses in such cases.
It creates something called lactic acid. Lactic acid is capable enough to work without oxygen. Lactic acid building up in your bloodstream faster than you can use is also possible. When you feel sores and aching muscles the next day of the football match, this excess lactic acid is to blame.
Eventually, the body would get rid of this and any other toxins on its own. Still, living with muscle soreness is not a suitable option mostly. If you are a regular player, you may have a big game or training in the upcoming days.
Sports massage helps your liver remove this lactic acid by breaking it up. The best time to do sports massage for sore prevention is after a training session. But when you regularly get a sports massage, you will notice you are less stiff and sore after workout sessions than in previous sessions.
The difference of sports massage & regular massage
The pressure of a regular massage is light to moderate. Sports massage, on the other hand, uses deeper and more intense pressure. It aims to promote muscle relaxation and make the person feel calm.
A sports massage therapist will not try to promote calm every time. They must reach deeper muscles and even use their elbows to apply pressure. The person may feel discomfort and pain.
This is because the purpose and goals of sports massage are entirely different from regular ones. A sports massage enhances athletic performance, aids recovery, and prevents injuries.
Moreover, a regular massage targets the complete body. But sports massage works on specific muscle groups.
Most common body parts that get injured in sports
Any body part can get hurt during sports. Here are the most common ones:
- Achilles Tendon: The name of a thick cord in our body helps us walk. It connects our heel and the back of the lower leg (calf). Achilles tendinitis or Achilles tendon rupture are the medical conditions that means it becomes swollen, inflamed, stiff, or even tears.
- Ankle: It is the joining point of the leg and foot, as we know. There are three joints here and several bones. Pain in the ankle after sports is also common.
- Elbow: It is the joint that acts as a hinge between your upper and lower arm. Experiencing pain in the elbow after repeat motions or overuse is very common.
- Head: Concussion is the most common head injury. The head includes the skull, brain, and face.
- Knee: The knee is a complex joint. It serves as a hinge between the thigh and lower leg. There are bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons in the knee. Jumper’s knee or the runner’s knee are some conditions that may cause knee pain.
- Shoulder: It connects the upper arm to the trunk of the body. A rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons, keeps the upper arm in your shoulder socket. Related common sports injuries are Rotator cuff tendinitis and rotator cuff tears.
Finding a sports massage therapist
The Internet can easily help you find one if you want sports massage therapy. Type something like ‘sports massage near me,’ and you will see many options. You can also type the name of your city to find local ones.
If you live in London, type sports therapist in London. If you live in Nottingham, you can type ‘Physiotherapy Nottingham‘ or ‘Sports Massage Therapist Nottingham.’ However, pick the therapist wisely. There are specific questions you should ask any therapist.
Check the certifications of potential sports massage therapists and ensure they have the licence to practise in your vicinity. Can they address your particular injury?
Conclusion
Sports massage effectively addresses your group of muscles that need attention due to injury and attempts to get you back to everyday life as quickly as possible. Sports injuries should be handled as much as possible due to their sensitivity as well as the tight schedules of athletes. MyPhysio-Gym is one of the best options if you are looking for sports massage in Nottingham.