There are many groups who often deal with pain or discomfort, and one of the most common in this area is athletes and those who exercise often. It’s natural to have certain bits of discomfort surrounding various athletics, including aches and pains following activity, but there are also a number of techniques you can use to remedy these issues — and massage therapy, particularly the technique of sports massage, is an excellent tool for many athletes.
At Seasons Salon and Day Spa, we’re proud to offer a huge range of signature massages for various clients, including sports massage for athletes or others who exercise often and deal with aches, pains or other discomfort. What exactly is sports massage, and what are some of the major ways it benefits athletes? This two-part blog series will go over everything you need to know.
Sports Massage Basics
Sports massage refers to a type of massage specifically designed for athletes, people who exercise often and even those who may not exercise regularly but still experience pain or discomfort in certain areas. This massage is meant to address those specific areas of pain or discomfort, whether they’re due to overuse, poor form or anything else, and help improve both the function and performance of the affected muscles.
This form of massage combines elements of a few other techniques, with a goal of loosening muscles and increasing flexibility and range of motion while also helping to reduce pain. It’s often used as part of a preventative care routine for athletes, as well as for those who are dealing with an injury or other issue — and in many cases, it can be extremely beneficial.
Our next several sections will go over some of the specific ways sports massage benefits patients.
Reducing Pain and Inflammation
Pain and inflammation are both common issues that many athletes deal with, and sports massage can be helpful in reducing both of these. The techniques used in this form of massage help to increase blood flow to the affected area, which in turn helps to reduce inflammation. This increased blood flow also helps to remove any toxins or other substances that may be contributing to pain in the area.
In addition, the massage can also help to break up any knots or other areas of tension in the muscles. This release of tension can help to significantly reduce pain in the affected area.
Improving Flexibility and Range of Motion
Another common issue that athletes face is tightness in the muscles, which can lead to reduced flexibility and range of motion. This can be a major problem, as it can limit an athlete’s ability to perform at their best.
Sports massage can help to improve flexibility and range of motion by loosening the muscles and breaking up any knots or areas of tension. This allows the muscles to move more freely, which can lead to improved performance.
In part two of our series, we’ll go over even further information here so you know all the benefits of sports massage. For more on this, or to learn about any of our massage, hair services, facials or other spa services, speak to the staff at Seasons Salon and Day Spa today.
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