Sports Massage

Sports massage is a systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body that focuses on muscles relevant to a particular sport.

Manipulation has a number of physical, physiological and psychological benefits.

It gives energy and an impressive level of relaxation, especially to the most tired muscles, where the massage will usually be directed and focused.

Many different movements and techniques are used in sports massage. Examples of these techniques include; Swedish style massage, effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), compression, friction, tapotement (rhythmic striking), vibration, gliding, stretching, percussion, and trigger points.
These movements and techniques are used to try to help the athlete’s body achieve maximum performance and physical conditioning with a decreased chance of injury or pain and a quicker recovery.

Sports massage is suitable for all those who engage in regular physical activity.
For those who are not professional athletes, manual therapy can be done every week or even every two, or it can be as regular as training.

This massage is also recommended for injury rehabilitation, improving sports performance, flexibility and muscle balance.

The movements and touches made during the manipulation will work on the muscles, blood vessels and lymphatic system.

In some stages, the massage is deeper and creates pores in the tissue membranes that allow fluids and nutrients to enter the right places. This helps to remove waste products such as lactic acid and encourage the muscles to take oxygen and nutrients with them instead, which help to recover faster after an injury, or simply to regain strength.

The massage stretches the tissues that cannot be stretched in the usual methods. The bundles of muscle fibers are stretched longitudinally and laterally. Manipulation can also stretch the sheath or fascia that surrounds the muscle, so that the release of accumulated tensions or pressures can occur.

Sports massage allows you to improve the elasticity of the tissues. The massage techniques also help with regard to the presence of scar tissue. It is the result of previous injuries or trauma and can attach itself to muscles, tendons and ligaments. This can lead to the tissues becoming stiffer and more prone to damage and pain.

Benefits

Many benefits from sports massage have been reported based on experience and observation.
Some are beneficial to the mind (psychological) and some to the body (physiological):