What is Sports Massage? The Benefits and Techniques of Soft Tissue Manipulation
What is a sports massage, and why would it be beneficial for you? Are you a professional athlete? Do you engage in sports activities such as running, playing basketball at the park or are part of the neighborhood team? If you have an active lifestyle, it is important to take some time and ensure that your body is in its best condition. This includes addressing injuries, muscle tightness and pain. Having a sports massage is an effective way of dealing with issues affecting the musculoskeletal system. This style of massage involves the manipulation of soft tissue to enhance an individual’s physical and mental well-being.
What is Sports Massage?
This type of massage therapy applies various techniques and movements that are designed to help an athlete achieve maximum performance. The massage session is tailored to meet the individual’s needs. The techniques and movements applied are designed to help the individual achieve better physical conditioning, reduce the chance of injury, encourage quicker recovery and address pain or tightness. This therapy is best incorporated into a rest day. It is a great option not just for professional athletes but also for all individuals that live an active lifestyle.
Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques
There are no specific sports massage techniques used for every massage session. The techniques applied in each session will depend on the individual’s condition or injury. It will also depend on the individual’s goals for the session. Some of the techniques applied during a session may include:
Stretching
Vibration
Friction
Compression
Stroking
Kneading
Gliding
Rhythmic striking
Deep tissue massage
Trigger points
Percussion and many more
Before the session begins, your therapist will ask about your health and how you feel. They will identify any injuries or areas that need extra attention and determine the best techniques to apply.
Sports Massage Benefits
One of the primary benefits of sports massage is its ability to prevent injury and aid in the rehabilitation process. Athletes, in particular, benefit from a sports massage as it helps in addressing issues like scar tissue formation, muscle tension, and ligament strain. Regular sessions can contribute to the maintenance of muscle groups, reducing the risk of chronic pain and enhancing overall physical resilience. However, there are many more sports massage benefits including:
Increased range of motion
Reduced muscular tension
Improved flexibility
Decreased muscular spasms
Increased nerve relaxation
Individuals experience an increased sense of well-being
Improved sleep
Decreased anxiety
Better mood
Decreased risk of injury
Increased elimination of waste products that build up during exercise including lactic acid
Increased blood circulation
Reduced recovery time
Sports massage can be beneficial for non-athletes too. The sessions can help address issues such as older knots in the muscles that have built up over time due to trauma, injuries that were caused by high training volume in the past, muscle imbalance as well as poor biomechanics. This type of therapy can help to aid your recovery and improve your quality of life.
Sports Massage Vs Deep Tissue Massage
What’s the difference between the two? Sports and deep tissue massage are similar in many ways including the techniques that are applied. For example, both therapies involve the application of firm-pressure to the body. However, there are differences in the focus of these therapies. While sports therapy is focused on specific parts of the body that may be injured or tight, deep tissue sports massage involves the application of firm pressure to the entire body. Deep tissue massage is more focused on achieving relaxation of the muscles, improving circulation and managing pain. It is often applied for treating chronic back pain or neck pain. So, sports massage or deep tissue massage? This depends on your circumstances and goals. If you're an athlete or engage in regular physical activities, and your primary goal is to improve performance, prevent injuries, or aid in post-event recovery, a sports massage will do this.
Finding a Massage Therapist
It is important to choose a therapist that has the right credentials. They should have been specially trained to address various sports injuries and have the knowledge of how to reduce the risk of injury in your particular sport or the activity you engage in. They should be licensed or registered as massage therapists in your state.
If you’re in need of a Sports massage therapist in Bellevue, look no further than Higher Health Sports and Spine. Our massage therapist is trained, certified and licensed. She is highly experienced in the application of sports massage for different sports. Still asking "what is a sports massage?" Contact us to find out more, and to schedule your session.