| A massage is a manual therapy defined as | | | | must have the knowledge on which technique to |
| "Procedures by which the hands directly contact | | | | apply and at what stage understanding the |
| the body to treat the articulations and/or soft | | | | seriousness in athletes. Timing is important as it |
| tissues" according to Wikipedia. Sports massage is | | | | depends whether the massage is given pre-event, |
| a kind of specific application of massage | | | | post-event. Consider a case of example where an |
| techniques, hydrotherapy protocols and | | | | athlete has to be massaged. If assumed it is |
| strength-training principles used when treating an | | | | pre-event, then timing is noted here. Now the |
| athlete. Injuries are so common in sports. The | | | | intent should be decided. The aim is to increase |
| dynamic nature of these sports also accounts for | | | | the blood flow by giving a warm up session. So |
| more injuries to the sports personalities. When | | | | the proper technique must be followed. |
| these injuries are not treated properly, their | | | | Some of the benefits of sports massage are:o |
| impact may be huge leaving the player numb to | | | | Some of the physical effects in massage is to |
| the sports activities again. So whether the injury | | | | increase the pressure in front of the stroke which |
| is acute or chronic, it has to be treated | | | | is important in tight or damaged muscle tissues.o |
| immediately to avoid further damage being done. | | | | A deep massage causes the pores in tissue to |
| Massage is an excellent way to cure or heal. The | | | | open up thus enabling fluids and nutrients to get a |
| massages should be done only by professionals. It | | | | passage for an easy flow. This also removes |
| is one way of treatment. This is not only done as | | | | waste products and offers more oxygen and |
| a post-injury treatment method but an effective | | | | nutrients which aids speedy recovery.o Massage |
| prevention of injury measure. One should undergo | | | | helps in getting tissue elasticity. Hard practice |
| Massage treatment often to avoid serious injuries. | | | | sessions will leave tissues hard and rigid. This will |
| Massage helps persons to be relaxed and gives | | | | not give any results.o It helps in improved blood |
| confidence and a better concentration. The body | | | | flow and nutrients passage.o It helps in reducing |
| muscles are given proper care by a human touch. | | | | the anxiety thus making athletes cool and |
| Massage has a number of benefits such as | | | | comfort. |
| maintaining the body in a better condition, | | | | Sports massages are very useful especially after |
| preventing injuries, restoring mobility and flexibility | | | | events such as marathons. Best results can be |
| to muscles. It helps us to increase the | | | | obtained when massages are done on a weekly |
| performance and speedy recovery from the | | | | basis. But the timing is very important. One must |
| injuries. | | | | not have a deep massage a day before a race as |
| It also has a great impact both physically and | | | | it may make him tired and lethargic. Also |
| physiologically. Both the factors are based on 3 | | | | remember that massages should not be applied |
| key factors. They are "When, What and Why | | | | to open or cut injuries. |
| -> Timing, Technique, Intent" So a specialist | | | | |