Sports Therapy
Sports massage is a specialty within the field of massage therapy that focuses specifically on assisting the training process, preventing injury and aiding the healing process when injuries occur. With the increased interest in sports and fitness, many people besides world-class athletes take advantage of sports massage. Sports massage is one of those methods. It can be used without risky side effects and remains effective over time. Sports massage is designed to address those specific concerns and may differ according to the sport the athlete plays. Sports massage can be aimed to help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak performance while minimizing the risk of injury.
Oils or lotions are often used to keep friction from irritating the skin. Typical massage therapy sessions last from thirty minutes to one hour. Oil, cream or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. Swedish massage is used to promote circulation and relaxation and a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Sports massage is one method of preparing an athlete for superior and peak performance. Massage helps to promote flexibility of the body, improve neuromuscular firing patterns and increase circulation to muscles. Sports massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. Sport massage stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Sports massage is classically performed using deep tissue massage techniques. Manipulating the soft tissue of the body involves more pressure than a Swedish massage, for example.
