The Basics Of Sports Massage Therapy Techniques
Sports massage therapy techniques are formulated a help with promoting muscle flexibility, decrease swelling and tension in soft tissues, and reduce the risk of athletic injury. The techniques for the massage are used to help athletes before, during, and after athletic events. It may assist with the warm up of athletes to potentially prevent activity injury.
But this type of massage therapy may be beneficial to anyone, not just high level athletes. Amateur athletes along with weekend warriors may benefit, and the benefit spans from adolescents all the way into the elderly.
A sports massage appointment starts with a patient consultation where the therapist discusses the individual’s history and problems and puts together a massage program tailored to the specific needs. The massage is put together to address soft tissue issues improving function and helping with circulation. During the massage, the work performed may be a bit painful to the person especially if a myofascial release is done along with less forceful maneuvers.
As various sports work different muscle groups, the massage therapist adjusts his or her technique to suit the particular sport. The sports therapist will have the patient situated comfortably on a padded table and focus on specific muscle groups with a variety of techniques.
The massage typically starts with rhythmic stroking movements to relax the patient and allows the massage therapist to identify tense and tender areas, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In addition to these, the massage therapist works on the fascia, which is the anatomic covering of the muscle itself. Working on that region may allow for pain reduction and improved function.
As the massage continues, the sports massage therapist focuses on deeper tissues and uses a kneading motion to stretch the muscles and stimulate circulation. Finally, the therapist may use forceful grasping and stretching motions which may separate and break down harmful tissues within the body.
The masseuse may also incorporate ice or heat to stimulate injured tissues, lengthen contracted muscles, decrease scarring, and help with trigger points within the fascia.
Sports massage is a noninvasive safe form of therapy that may help athletes decrease injury, speed up recovery, and optimize health. Both acute and chronic conditions can be helped substantially from it.
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