| It is well known that massage therapy can reduce | | | | compression, compressive and petrissage |
| anxiety, pain and tension and generally feels good. | | | | techniques to spread and ease muscle tension. |
| However massage can be more than just | | | | Post-performance massage is thought to |
| relaxing. For athletes massage therapy can be a | | | | significantly expedite muscle recovery and reduce |
| key contributor to their training regime and | | | | muscle spasms. Full range of motion is a main |
| considerably enhance their performance. More | | | | objective while increased blood flow to muscles |
| commonly known as “Sports Massage” | | | | after a work out is another benefit. Other |
| massage for athletes utilizes deep muscle working | | | | benefits include a shorter recovery time, and a |
| techniques that eliminate toxins in muscle fiber as | | | | significant decrease in delayed onset muscle |
| well as remove adhesions. These techniques | | | | soreness. On-site chair massage therapy is a |
| applied to athletes, and called Sports Massage, are | | | | great way for athletes to receive the benefits of |
| a combination of Shiatsue and Swedish massage. | | | | Sports Massage during a competition. |
| Some specific methods commonly utilized are | | | | Sports massage incorporates the physical, |
| pressure point, cross-fiber friction and Swedish | | | | psychological and physiological aspects of the |
| strokes. This form of massage can be separated | | | | athlete to create balance in the system. The |
| into two sections when it comes to athletes | | | | physical effect massage has on the athlete’s |
| receiving massage: pre-event massage and | | | | body is extreme. Lactic acid and other waste |
| post-event massage. | | | | products are expedited more quickly out of the |
| Pre-event massage is best done up to two days | | | | system. The improved circulation increases |
| before your event. This stimulates the flow of | | | | oxygen delivery to muscles, through deep tissue |
| nutrients and blood to muscles and produces a | | | | work, which significantly decreases recovery time. |
| mental confidence caused by physiological | | | | The break down of scar tissue and improved |
| relaxation. A pre-event massage can significantly | | | | muscle elasticity is another advantage. |
| improve an athlete’s warm up as well. A | | | | Psychologically speaking massage relaxes the |
| sports therapist giving chair massage before an | | | | nerves and reduces anxiety and stress. Increased |
| event can reduce mental tension before | | | | blood flow is generally acknowledged to be good |
| competition. Massage increases circulation reducing | | | | for the immune system, organs and mental |
| the chance of injury. Muscle tension is relaxed and | | | | health. Physiologically speaking reduced pain will |
| tissue pliability also benefits hugely from | | | | increase the performance of any athlete. The |
| pre-performance massage. | | | | muscle relaxation, which is an obvious benefit of |
| A post-performance massage is short and direct | | | | Sports Massage, directly before or after exercise, |
| in nature. Lasting for approximately 10-15 minutes | | | | will increase performance regardless of the type |
| it usually focuses on the areas specific to the | | | | of sport. |
| athlete’s sport. This massage utilizes | | | | |