Sports Massage
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a soft tissue manipulation technique that focuses on the muscles relevant to a particular sport. Sports Massage can be dated back to the famous runner Paavo Nurmi, commonly known as the "Flying Finn,". He was one of the early users of sports massage. Nurmi is said to have used sports massage during the 1924 Olympics in Paris where he won five gold medals. Jack Meagher is thought to be the father of sports massage in the United States.
Many different movements and techniques fall under the umbrella of 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.
Anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through movement such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, tennis and other racquet sports, strength training and aerobics can benefit from a massage. There are others who do strenuous activities throughout their day that are not normally classified as exercise. Examples are mothers with small children, gardeners, and others who use their bodies strenuously in their work. Sports Massage would still be beneficial for these people
Benefits of Regular Sports Massage
Many benefits from sports massage have been reported based on experience and observation from athletes of all types. Some are beneficial to the mind (psychological) and some to the body (physiological).
Some of the reported benefits of sports massage include:
- Increased joint range of motion (ROM)
- Increased flexibility
- Increased sense of well-being
- Decreased muscle tension
- Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Better sleep
- Decreased Recovery Time
Our highly skilled therapists have over a decade of experience practicing Sports Massage.
Side Effects
Possible side effects of sports massage are tenderness or stiffness for 1 to 2 days after the sports massage. If you have a race or sporting event, we recommend receiving a massage no sooner than 2 days before your event.