For years, professional level athletes and coaches have sworn by massages, and their efficacy in improving muscle health and performance. If you’re like most of the population, however, you are likely to take it with a grain of salt, believing there is nothing much to be gained from a massage session. It’s easy to see that massage benefits workouts and athletes.
Research has over the years confirmed the sage wisdom by these athletes and coaches, and now more than ever you too should make use of professional massages, if that is you wish to up your game.
Unsure how a massage can be of benefit to you? Read on and soon you’ll find yourself a regular of a massage therapist!
Massage Boosts Flexibility
Among the many traits of a successful athletes, flexibility can determine your longevity in the sport. In order to achieve the top level of your sports discipline, muscles and tendons must be flexible enough to experience true range of motion, and to not suffer undue force on particular areas.
Athletes who train at high volume are particularly susceptible to injuries resulting from muscle tension or formation of scar tissue on muscle, ligaments, tendons and more. Scar tissue restricts flexibility through a joint, such as being unable to lower a barbell to your chest when doing bench presses.
The result of scar tissue formation is increased likelihood of a muscle tearing or tendon damage. Massages help prevent formation of scar tissue, and reduce the likelihood of tearing.
Massage Improves Micro-Circulation
Circulation to cells could make or break an athletes, as insufficient blood flow can impair recovery. Following an intense workout, muscle damage does occur, after which nourishment is important for recovery to ensue.
Improved micro perfusion of blood also ensures cells get sufficient oxygen during a workout to perform longer, and effectively remove waste products from working muscles. The more efficiently lactic acid is removed, the longer a muscle can work before failure occurs.
Massage Improves Post Workout Pain
A day or two following a workout is notorious for being the most painful. This phenomenon, known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is as a result of muscle damage, as well as accumulation of lactic acid and waste products.
As massages help improve circulation, more nutrients are able to enter the muscle cells, and more waste is removed. The result is improved recovery and less pain.
Massage Decreases Tension
Is it any surprise that many athletes find it difficult to relax? In fact, too many athletes are in a state of hypertonicity- or constant contraction, that muscles are never fully relaxed. A session with a massage therapist can help relax not only the muscles, but also the mind- giving you a much needed break from the rigors of hard training. Training should be kept in the gym, following which the body should be in a relaxed state.
Massage Prevents Minor Issues From Becoming Major Injuries
Sometimes, a small muscular tear or damage to a joint can pave the way for the slide down a slippery slope, especially when it is dismissed as nothing and the athletes keeps training. However, taking matters into hand urgently with massage therapy can help prevent these outcomes.
Being in a setting of reduced stress, and under acute care and relaxation, helps stimulate regenerative collagen synthesis as well as natural inflammatory pathways in the body.
Massage Reduces Cortisol Levels
The stress hormone cortisol is bad for overall health, as well as to muscle tissue. A small amount is necessary for optimal handling of daily stress, but it can quickly go out of whack and impair recovery abilities. Massages help to relieve stress, promote restful sleep and kill anxiety.
There are even more benefits of massages. A few massage sessions per month will undoubtedly improve your wellbeing, both physically and mentally, allowing your longevity in your sport of choice.
Head on over to our services page and click to schedule your appointment for a sports massage!