When you start a new training program, increase the intensity of your workouts or are spending a huge chunk of your time sat at a desk, a good sports massage can be extremely beneficial!
Contrary to what the name suggests, you don’t have to be super fit, or even a “sports person” to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is all about prevention and healing of injuries to the muscles and tendons. It can be beneficial for people with injuries, chronic pain, poor posture or restricted range of motion. So, whether you are training for a competition, stuck at a desk every day or are running around after the kids, sports massage can target those problem areas and alleviate pain.
There are no standard guidelines as to how often you should get a sports massage, however, you will definitely experience the most health benefits from massage when you get massage regularly. The problem with getting a massage only when you are injured is that your therapist might pick up on tightness and muscle imbalance that you always have, but that has nothing to do with your current issue. Therefore, we would recommend booking in for a sports massage every 4-6 weeks.
Is a sports massage for me?
Do you suffer with muscular tension?
Do you suffer with bad posture?
Are you an active person?
Do you have a high training regime?
Are you looking to compete at a high level?
If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of those, a sports massage can help you and correct imbalances in the body.
What are the benefits?
The following benefits can be experienced through the application of sports and deep tissue massage techniques
- Increase joint range of motion (ROM)
- Increased flexibility
- Increased sense of wellbeing
- Decreased muscle tension
- Decreased neurological exicitabilty (relaxation of nerves)
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Better Sleep
What can I expect?
Before your massage begins, your therapist will ask you a bit about about the types of activities you do, if you have any injuries and will then complete a physical assessment.
Once a treatment plan has been agreed, you will be expected to remove clothing (sometimes to underwear dependent on area being treated) and will lie on the massage table under towels/blankets. Because of the targeted nature of this technique, you will likely not receive a full-body massage, But you get an extra bonus with sports massage because it also incorporates stretching and an active range of motion, so it mimics exercise more closely.
Will it hurt?
Sports massage is a form of deep tissue massage, so a great deal of pressure is put on the muscles in order to treat them. This pressure can be uncomfortable. The more tense your muscles are, the more uncomfortable it is going to be because they cannot be stretched or manipulated as easily under the pressure of your sports massage therapist’s hands (or elbows!) he discomfort you feel during and after a massage is completely normal and, on the whole, it means it is working. But a sports massage should never cause you so much pain that you feel the need to tense up in order to bear it. Dehydration can stiffen the fascia and muscles, which translates to a more painful massage. Ensure you’re sipping adequate amounts of H20 before you hop on the table