Whether you are an athlete, or just committed to your fitness and wellness goals, regular sports massage can help enhance performance and prevent injuries. This type of massage differs from a typical therapeutic massage and is specifically geared towards athletes.
Muscle cramping often occurs at the end of a vigorous workout and can be caused by dehydration, heat, or mineral imbalances. Sports massage can reduce cramping by:
Reduces Muscle Tension
Sports massage enhances circulation, reduces muscle tightness and increases flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries. It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (which is associated with relaxation), counterbalancing the effects of the sympathetic nervous system that cause the body’s stress response.
In addition, sports massage improves flexibility by breaking down adhesions and knots in the muscles and fascia. It also activates the proprioceptors which are receptors in your muscles and joints that tell your brain about the positioning of your body in space, improving balance, coordination and flexibility.
Athletes of all levels benefit from sports massage. Whether you are a seasoned athlete aiming for your next personal best, or an amateur runner hoping to avoid injury following a gentle jog, a sports massage can help you achieve your goals and stay healthy for longer.
Increases Blood Flow
Sports massage focuses on the soft tissue of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which get damaged during exercise. The massage therapist uses techniques that increase blood flow to the affected area, promoting muscle repair and recovery.
Athletes who regularly receive sports massage can also expect to see an improvement in their range of motion and athletic performance. This is because the massage stimulates the lymphatic system to drain away waste products from the muscles and move them upward toward the liver for processing.
Another physiological effect of sports massage is the release of endorphins, our body’s natural stress-relievers. These chemicals boost our mood and foster a feeling of well-being, improving mental clarity to improve decision-making and task performance. The rhythmic pressure and strokes of a sports massage also reduce cortisol, our body’s primary stress hormone. Too much of this hormone can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, and fatigue. Getting regular massages can help to keep cortisol levels low and prevent this from occurring.
Reduces Mineral Deficiencies
While the label “sports massage” may conjure images of professional athletes getting pre-game rubdowns, its benefits extend beyond the sporting world. Anyone who experiences repetitive physical stress from daily activities—whether it’s a fitness enthusiast or importance of hydration after a sports massage an employee anchored to their desk for hours at a time—can benefit from the incorporation of sports massage into their routine.
In addition to alleviating post-exercise muscle soreness and facilitating tissue repair, sports massage can also reduce mineral deficiencies by improving blood circulation. This increase in vascularity can decrease venous stagnation and facilitate the elimination of metabolic waste products, preventing blood from pooling in the muscles and further increasing soreness.
Regular sessions of sports massage can enhance elasticity and flexibility, making movements more fluid and less prone to stiffness. For this reason, it is often recommended that athletes schedule a session prior to an event as a means of warming up and preparing the body to maximize performance. Similarly, athletes should be sure to follow up with a session following the event to speed up recovery and to flush out any toxins from the muscles.
Increases Hydration Awareness
It’s no secret that cramping happens more often when we are dehydrated. It’s also no secret that hydrating is the number one thing you can do to reduce cramps. This is why hydration is so important for athletes and why it’s recommended that all participants of strenuous workouts drink water regularly.
Sports massage can also help prevent exercise-associated muscle cramping by promoting proper hydration and warm up and cool down. It also helps reduce the effects of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) by reducing muscle spasm and increasing blood flow which flushes waste products, delivers oxygen and nutrients to muscles and tissues and aids in repairing damaged cells.
Anyone can benefit from regular sports massage, whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking to improve your performance and achieve a new PB, a beginner that wants to avoid injury or simply someone who enjoys a gentle jog. It’s important to communicate with your therapist regarding your preferences and comfort level and to encourage feedback throughout the session.
