| Athletes are always searching for an edge to help | | | | compression of specific muscles to create a |
| them train more effectively and shake off injuries | | | | softening effect on the muscles, and is generally |
| faster. In an attempt to win, athletes push | | | | used for a warm-up or for work on a specific |
| themselves to the limit with speed, endurance, | | | | muscle group. |
| and strength. They push their bodies to the limit. | | | | Cross-fiber massage is often used to reduce |
| These athletes know that therapeutic massage | | | | adhesions and improve flexibility and muscle repair |
| can help them to avoid serious injury, and, when | | | | after an injury. This is a friction technique and |
| injured, to speed up their recovery time. Coaches | | | | creates a stretching and broadening effect in large |
| and trainers use massage therapy to improve | | | | muscle group sets. |
| athletes' performance, and regard it as an | | | | Trigger Point/Tender Point massage uses finger |
| important part of athletes' extensive training and | | | | and thumb pressure at specific pressure points to |
| preparation to play competitively. | | | | reduce pain and erase muscle spasms. This will |
| Doctors prescribe therapeutic massage as a | | | | promote the easing of restricted movements in |
| complimentary way of treating injuries and illness. | | | | the body. Lymphatic massage is used to increase |
| Research shows that therapeutic massage not | | | | the circulation of the body. |
| only feels good, it also reduces blood pressure, | | | | Athletic coaches and trainers believe that sports |
| heart rate, and improves circulation. It is also used | | | | therapeutic massage can improve sports |
| to reduce pain, reduce muscle tension and | | | | performance by reducing the chances of injury. |
| improves range of motion in many patients. | | | | Therapeutic massage includes stretching and |
| Therapeutic massage, used with routine physical | | | | training for the event. It incorporates deep tissue |
| training, a healthy diet, and getting the proper rest | | | | massage. This massage technique can also |
| will help an athlete with the strength and | | | | improve range of motion in some muscles and |
| endurance for their sport. | | | | improve muscle flexibility. This technique improves |
| There are several techniques used in sports | | | | performance and shortens the time needed to |
| massage therapies. Because each sport uses a | | | | recover between workouts. |
| different set of muscles and in a different way, | | | | Therapeutic massage is thought to increase the |
| different techniques may be used. Some athletes | | | | body's own supply of nutrients, helping the body |
| require a deep Swedish massage that specifically | | | | to increase blood flow and helping to increase the |
| targets a set of muscles. | | | | metabolic rate and expel the by-products stored |
| Other athletes engage in sports that may require | | | | up in the body. |
| a compression massage. This is a rhythmic | | | | |