Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage has been utilized as an active recovery for thousands of years now, and anyone that engaging in physical activity for sports, fitness or recreation can benefit from getting sports massage. The great thing about sports massage is that anybody can get it whether they are old or young. It doesn't matter how young or fit you are because it works exactly the same on both. There's a principle behind this type of treatment called meridian therapy. Fundamentally, meridian therapy involves targeting specific points along energy channels to restore equilibrium within the body.
There are many benefits to getting a sports massage besides restoring bodily equilibrium. One of the most notable and accepted benefits of sports massage is that it improves lymphatic circulation. Lymphatic fluids drain into your lower extremities to keep you oxygenated, flush out any unwanted waste products, and allow you to move freely throughout the day. Sports massage helps circulate lymph fluid which is key to keeping you healthy and free of congestion. If you feel constricted or congestion on your upper body, then it may be due to a congested lymphatic system.
When you get a sports massage, the therapist will concentrate on the major muscle groups. This includes the shoulders, upper arms, back, hips, and buttocks. Most sports massage includes kneading and massaging the muscles, stretching the joints, and rubbing the fascia, or connective tissues on the surface of the muscles. These tissues provide flexibility and 강남출장안마 strength to the muscles, but they also cushion the muscles so that they don't tear when you move. Some therapists use light hand movements to help loosen up tight muscles.
There are certain muscle groups which are known to be painful after doing a certain motion or engaging in a certain activity. For example, if you were to rub your upper back muscles, then you could likely expect some pain. When a therapist gives a sports massage, he or she focuses on those muscle groups to release muscle tension and alleviate pain. In fact, most frequent sports related injuries happen as a result of overuse of muscles in the wrong locations.
With a sports massage, the therapist will typically start by applying a topical anesthetic or nitrous oxide. The anesthetic numbness causes the muscles to relax, but it does not affect blood flow to the area, so the therapist uses more pressure with each stroke. More pressure is used, and the muscles are stretched and manipulated more intensely. After the massage, your therapist may apply a cooling pad to minimize swelling and inflammation.
Although this sounds like a very simple procedure, this sort of massage therapy isn't something that should be done"just for fun". Although this is not considered a medical treatment, your therapist is still dealing with your mind/body connection and your own emotions. Therefore, you must know about what is happening to you during the procedure. If you experience pain, tell your therapist immediately.
In case you have soft tissue repair needs, you might experience muscle stiffness also. This is normal when you first receive your treatment and usually goes away within a day. Your therapist may suggest a day or two of rest following your sports massage, based on your injury and present condition. If you experience minor discomfort or soreness, then ask if there is a possibility of using heat or ice therapy on your injury.
Sports massage therapy is not for everyone. If you've got busy or semi-active muscles, soft tissue repair isn't a perfect solution. However, if you suffer from chronic pain, have fractures, or other issues which affect the ligaments, tendons, and other tissues, you should consider it. Even if you're generally healthy, getting a therapeutic sports massage can help to reduce the amount of stress on your body, improve circulation, and promote proper joint mobility. This is a great activity to enhance your health regimen!