Sports Massage

Massage has become a very important part of a complete workout. Professional trainers believe that massage can provide an extra edge to athletes who participate in high performance sports. Both amateur and professional athletes are realizing that a complete workout routine includes not only the exercise itself, but also taking care of the minor injuries that naturally occur with strenuous movement.

Including regular massages in your workout program will assist you in getting into better shape faster with less stiffness and pain. Getting regular massages will make your body more flexible and less prone to sports injuries. A massage after a heavy workout will allow your body to recover faster and can relieve conditions which may cause injury.

Three Conditioning Phases

Regular exercise will give your body increased muscular strength and endurance, more efficient heart and respiratory functioning, and greater flexibility. These physical changes occur as the body gradually adapts to the greater demands put on it by regular exercise. The body will improve it's functioning to meet the challenges placed on it.

Tearing Down Phase: When you push the physical limits of your body.

Recovery Phase: When your body is sore and stiff one to two days after a heavy workout.

Buildup Phase: When your body adapts to the new demands placed on it resulting in increased muscular strength and endurance.

During the 'tearing down phase', most people experience stiffness and soreness, especially when the intensity of the workout or activity has been significantly increased from what the body has been used to.

During the recovery phase, there may be delayed muscle soreness (24 - 48 hours after exercise) which may be caused by a number of factors. Possible causes are minor muscle or connective tissue damage, muscle spasms that reduce circulation, or a build up of waste products (metabolites) from energy production.

In addition, trigger points or stress points may also cause muscle soreness. These are specific points in muscle and tendons which cause pain when pressed. Some believe these trigger points are small areas of spasm. These trigger points may develop over time from the stress and strain of heavy physical exertion or from repeated use of a particular muscle.

People that over exercise may have chronically tight muscles and less flexibility. Lack of flexibility can cause muscle soreness and can make you more prone to injuries. Blood flow through tight muscles is poor which also causes pain.

5 Main Types of Sports Massage

Deep Swedish Massage: Involves muscle specific pressing, vibration, and tapping techniques.

Compression Massage: Rhythmic compression on the muscles used as a warm up for deeper, more specific massage.

Cross Fiber Massage: This type of massage is used to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups and is used to create strong, flexible repair during the healing process.

Trigger Point Massage: This involves using fingers & thumb to apply pressure to the trigger points in muscle and connective tissue to reduce muscle spasms in those points. If left untreated, these damaged trigger points will lead to restricted and painful movement in larger body areas.

Lymphatic Massage: This type of massage will stimulate the lymphatic-drainage pathways and will improve the body's removal of waste.

In summary, getting regular sport massages can