Sports Massage: The Physiological Effect
Sports massage, also known as manual therapy, is a medical treatment most commonly used by physical therapists, chiropractors and orthopedic surgeons, to treat muscle and skeletal injuries. It involves gentle manipulation and kneading soft tissues, joint manipulation, and soft-tissue mobilization. It is not intended to treat any disease or conditions. It has been demonstrated that it reduces pain and improves range of motion and improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. It is a good part of a comprehensive health program. It can be used as an adjunctive therapy to pharmacological treatment for pain management and control of inflammatory disorders like osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as other autoimmune degenerative diseases. It is beneficial for athletes since it decreases swelling, reduces body weight, and increases performance.
The practice of sports massage is based on the concept of applying steady and very gentle pressure over a particular area to relax the tensed muscles. A wide range of massage techniques are used depending on the problem area. If you've kneaded your shoulders and neck muscles, your masseur may use tennis elbow or gentle stretching to loosen the muscles. If you've hurt your back, your therapist may perform rotational movements with gentle pressing. You may also opt for manual therapy that utilizes your hand to create tapping or friction movements on the abdomen, back, buttocks and groin.
There are many benefits of massages for athletes, especially during competitions and training. Athletes spend more time training and working hard so they should take good care of their bodies and health. One method of doing this is through a sports massage. It's an affordable and simple alternative to costly and frequent medical treatments.
Massage therapy for sports isn't just relaxing and soothing for tired muscles it also increases blood circulation and encourages the development of lymphoid tissue. It increases the amount of fluid in tissues, so that the body is able to drain waste products through the lymphatic system. A greater flow of fluid means less accumulation of tissues that are dry and more fluid. Massage helps eliminate dead tissues and boosts tissue elasticity. As a result, athlete's body has a more flexible and pliable feel.
The athlete is also less likely to be put under pressure and this can enhance the physical effects of massage. When competing, tension in the muscles, focus and mental strain are at a high. To ease these issues the masseur applies gentle and more streamlined strokes. Massage has a profound physiological effect on athletes because it increases the flexibility of muscles. It also boosts the speed with which muscles can be repaired which, in turn, leads to an increase in physical performance.
In competitions, an athlete is always on the go. She is constantly sweating and strains muscles and ligaments. However during competitions, an athlete must be able to maintain her cool. This can only be achieved by ensuring that the athlete isn't stressed or tense. Through massage, the muscles relax due to the low levels of force utilized and because the lubricant, typically oil, reduces the friction between the muscles and the soft tissues.
Relaxing the mind can lead to relief from pain. The mind and body are constantly under tension and stress during competition. Massage can help ease tension by reducing the feeling of anxiety and anger. Massage can also help the athlete to remain cool and calm, thereby allowing her to think clearly. Massage can also aid in the relaxation of muscles and soft tissues, allowing the athlete concentrate on winning the game and not the discomfort caused by stiff joints and sore muscles.
The last but not least massage has an effect on the body that's not limited to athletes. Regular massage has been shown to ease the signs associated with aging such as muscle stiffness loss of flexibility and strength and mobility of joints and pain. The physical effects of massage contribute to a reduction in swelling and stiffness of the skin which results in the smoothness of the skin and reduction of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. These physiological effects can also aid in reducing the effects of aging and improve general health.