Using Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage is quickly becoming an integral part of today's athletic regimen, from corporate training rooms, to private training rooms, even to Olympic training centers. Increasing number of professional trainers think that regular massage can give an athlete an edge over competitors who don't regularly get massaged. "What's new is that athletes are not only aware of its benefits, but are beginning to use it more often," says Mike Webster, PhD, a sports psychologist and performance enhancement specialist in the University of Maryland College of Medicine." Masseuse techniques used during sport massage may provide increased joint mobility, decrease muscle tension and spasm, improve circulation, and reduce recovery time."
Besides its many health benefits, there are several psychological reasons why athletes are choosing to include this technique in their training regimen. According to Webster, one of the most noticeable changes he sees in athletes is the ability to focus better on their game following a sports massage. "The effects are very noticeable," he says. "Following a treatment, players are going to be in much better physical condition and performance can be improved greatly."
To perform these techniques, a certified massage therapist works with the whole body, working on soft tissues in addition to muscles. The massage therapist uses their hands, elbows, fingers, forearms, and toes for gentle movements. These techniques relax tight, fatigued, stressed, and overworked muscle tissue, relieving pain and tension. A sports massage session typically involves around ten sessions, with breaks in between for the athlete to decompress.
The goal of this kind of therapeutic massage is to loosen tight muscles, improve range of motion, relieve stress and muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. Muscle soreness, stiffness, pain, cramps, stiffness, and headaches are common side effects of a massage session. To soothe muscle stiffness and ease aching muscles, a therapist might suggest a hot towel or heat pad to be applied to the affected area. In order to release the tension in tight muscles, the therapist might ask the patient to move their arms and legs for five minutes. Each session should take no more than thirty minutes.
Some therapists offer sports therapy through their own practice or as a sideline for a proven practice. Sports massage isn't governed by regular licensing bodies, but some countries have requirements 출장안마 for participating therapists. States such as Colorado require therapists to receive certification and education in sports therapy. Certification programs are offered at local colleges and technical schools.
There are several types of sports massage which target different regions of the body. Deep tissue, also called Swedish massage, is for deep tissue injuries, such as those resulting from a sudden crash, fall, or sudden bruise. Sports massage therapists use long strokes and kneading techniques for relaxation and relief. Trigger point therapy is a popular technique aimed at relieving chronic painful muscle fibres of ache. Spinal decompression is used for patients with many different spinal problems, including disk degeneration. This technique is aimed at relieving stiffness and restoring mobility.
Although some people feel uncomfortable seeing a licensed sports massage therapist, they may prove useful to some. The combination of massage techniques used can decrease stress and increase range of movement, particularly in regards to physical activity like yoga or Pilates. When muscles are stretched, they are given more chance to stretch out without injuring themselves. Injuries can be prevented if the injured part is properly worked on, which may help prevent additional injuries.
Lots of people may experience a mild sprain during their lifetime. A little tear in any muscle can easily cure, but more severe sports massage injuries, such as a torn muscle , can take weeks or even months to heal. It is not uncommon for athletes to experience repetitive strain injuries, which occur when repetitive motions cause damage to the soft tissue surrounding the muscle. Ripped muscles can quickly become inflamed and cause discomfort, which is frequently caused by an overloaded nervous system.