| Sports massage therapy can be a great help to | | | | the game will, no doubt, help the athlete's body |
| athletes like Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner of | | | | relax from the strain, both physical and mental, of |
| the Phoenix Cardinals football team. The therapy | | | | the game. It will help the stress and tension, which |
| can help athletes prepare for the game, both | | | | had built up in the athlete's body during the game, |
| physically and mentally. Because athletes are | | | | be released from the muscles and tissues. |
| prone to injury, take Warner's rough tackle which | | | | The benefits of the sports massage therapy are |
| left him with a concussion or Fitzgerald's blown | | | | specific to what an athlete needs before, during |
| out knee in a few games, this therapy is used | | | | and after a game. Not only does this therapy |
| during games, when injuries occur, and after | | | | slow a possibly erratic or racing pulse, but it also |
| games, to calm the athlete's body. This therapy | | | | brings the athlete's blood pressure back to its |
| must be applied by a licensed masseur or physical | | | | normal levels in a healthy way. It helps the blood |
| therapist because of how deeply it affects the | | | | flow increase, so that circulation to the limbs and |
| muscles and body tissue. | | | | brain return to healthy and normal levels while |
| As mentioned above, this therapy is used before | | | | allowing the lymph flow to follow suit. If any |
| games. This is a preparation techniques for the | | | | injuries were received during the game, this will |
| athlete and his body. It helps him prepare to | | | | help reduce or even eliminate the pain of those |
| perform at his best during the game. It also helps | | | | injuries, along with any lingering muscle tension left |
| the athlete be as flexible as possible because his | | | | over from the physical activity of the game. |
| muscles are relaxed and his adrenaline is flowing. | | | | This type of massage therapy is recommended |
| His focus can remain on the game, instead of a | | | | for athletes and not the casual or recreational |
| nagging pain in his leg, which was bothering him | | | | person seeking a massage. Because this is a mix |
| before the massage. During the game, a player | | | | of a Swedish massage and a Shiatsu massage, |
| may need a massage treatment to eliminate any | | | | the techniques can be quite rough and intense on |
| feelings of fatigue they may be suffering form. It | | | | someone's muscles who are not used to this type |
| could also reduce the swelling of an injury and | | | | of massage. If one is choosing this massage, be |
| possibly help eliminate receiving any more injuries | | | | aware that it will involve deep tissue therapy, |
| during the game. The use of the massage after | | | | which could hurt. |