Sports massage is a therapy that involves the manipulation of sports soft tissues. The massage modality involves different techniques to help the body achieve maximum conditioning, performance and recovery. Just like other types of massage modalities, sports massage offers amazing benefits.
However, most people do not know who the massage is meant for, and how often they need it. And in this roundup, I will take you through some of the important things you should know about sports massage. Let’s dive in!
Who Should Get Sports Massage?
As the name suggests, sports massage is meant for athletes and anyone participating in sporting activities. Sporting is one of the rigorous activities that involve burning calories and require the use of the body muscles. The wear and tear the body undergoes during these exercises calls for muscle recovery, and this is where a sports massage comes in.
When Should You Get a Sports Massage?
If you are wondering when you should get a sports massage; well, you are not alone. Most people do not know when they should visit a massage therapist after an exercise. For best results, it is ideal to get a sports massage before and after the sporting workout.
Receiving a massage before a workout or sporting exercise helps increase muscle flexibility, relieve anxiety, stress, and tension, allowing you to focus on the training. However, the pre-sports massage involves gentle, light strokes to prevent deep tissue interference.
After a workout or sporting exercise, your body will be tired and needs time to recover. A post-workout massage will help you relax the body, relieve muscle tension, soreness and increase the cell recovery period.
How Often Should You Get a Sports Massage?
Receiving sports massage regularly is a great way to keep your body in top shape. However, as an athlete, you may be wondering how often you should be visiting your therapist. The answer is, it depends on how often you do your exercise. Below is a guide on how often you should get a maintenance massage.
Athletes Who Exercise Once Daily
If you exercise once a day, you may need to book an appointment when needed to keep your muscles in check. Visiting a therapist once a week or getting two massages in a row can help boost your performance.
Athletes Who Exercise Twice a Day
Exercising more than once a day puts the muscles under pressure with insufficient time to recover between exercises. Receiving a sports massage weekly can help repair any injured muscles, relieve pain and help speed up the recovery period.
Athletes Who Exercise Thrice a Day
Training often helps you perfect your skills and is highly recommended. The frequency of getting a sports massage depends on how rigorous the activity is. If you exercise three times daily, getting a massage twice every week or more is highly recommended.
Benefits Of Sports Massage
ü Boosts performance
ü Increase blood flow
ü Increased mobility
ü Reduces stress and anxiety
ü Relieves muscle pain
ü Speeds up recovery
ü Improves moods
Wrapping Up
Sports massage is essential to any person who participates in sporting activities. The massage modality offers massive benefits that cannot be overlooked. It's a significant investment worth every penny. If you are a sports person and wish to receive a sports massage from a professional, book an appointment now.