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