Sports massage is similar to regular massage, but more focused on specific muscle groups and areas. It can be helpful for anyone who is active and wants to increase flexibility, prevent injury, and improve performance.
A sports massage is usually performed before an event or training session. It uses techniques such as effleurage and petrissage to stimulate the muscles and improve circulation.
Increased Flexibility
Although the term “sports massage” may suggest that it’s exclusive to athletes, the techniques used in this type of massage can be remarkably beneficial for non-athletes as well. Non-athletes who are anchored to desks, for example, often develop knots and tight muscles that can impact posture and cause chronic back pain.
In addition, the deep tissue techniques of sports massage often include stretches to help with flexibility. A flexible muscle is less prone to injury, and allows for enhanced blood flow to the area.
This helps the body remove metabolic waste and aids in tissue repair, reducing the time to recover from strenuous activity. Incorporating this type of massage into an athlete’s regular routine can be key to achieving peak performance and avoiding injuries.
Reduced Pain and Soreness
Whether you’re a pro athlete on the field or just trying to stretch to reach an item on a shelf or tie your shoes, your muscle flexibility plays a critical role in everyday movement. Achieving and maintaining optimal flexibility prevents injuries, which is why regular sports massage is such a wise investment for everyone.
Sports massage reduces muscle stiffness after activity, eliminating the delayed onset of muscle soreness that occurs 24 to 48 hours after workouts. It also helps alleviate referred pain from trigger points, which can cause discomfort in other parts of the body.
Another physiological benefit of sports massage is enhanced circulation, ensuring that muscles get an optimal supply of oxygen to perform at their best. This also aids in flushing accumulated metabolic waste products and toxins from the muscles, speeding up recovery. As a result, muscles are stronger and more resilient to injury.
Increased Endorphins
Sports massage is a highly specialised form of therapeutic massage that caters for specific athletic performance needs. It uses a variety of techniques that aren’t normally used in regular massage and focuses where to buy massage balls for sports therapy on enhancing physical fitness, increasing flexibility, decreasing pain, and speeding up the healing process.
One of the benefits of massage is that it triggers the release of neurotransmitters (endorphins) which act as a natural pain reliever and improve our mood. In addition, the release of these chemicals helps to stimulate muscles and tissues to contract more effectively, further reducing pain and improving flexibility.
Athletes regularly incorporate massage as part of their training regimen as it is beneficial for pre and post-event preparation and recovery. The pre-event massage helps to warm up the muscles and boosts circulation, while the post-event massage aids in muscle recovery and relaxation. Athletes can also benefit from regular massage sessions to help prevent injuries such as strains and sprains.
Better Sleep
Getting a good night’s rest is crucial for mental and physical health, including athletic performance. Sleep supports muscle recovery and mental clarity, and enables you to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm.
Fortunately, research has shown that massage is a great way to promote better sleep for both the short and long term. Studies indicate that massage reduces cortisol levels and increases serotonin, two neurotransmitters important for a functional sleep-wake cycle.
In addition, the effleurage and petrissage techniques used in sports massage help improve circulation and oxygenation of tissues. This enhances the delivery of nutrients to muscles and other tissues, preparing them for sleep. Regular massage also helps to alleviate muscle tension and pain, which can interfere with a restful sleep experience. Combined with healthy sleep habits such as a consistent bedtime routine, an ideal sleeping environment and the use of supportive sleep aids, sports massage can be a key component to your optimal rest and recovery.
