For athletes who put immense stress on their muscles, massage therapy is one way to help prevent injury. Not only does massage reduce stress on the muscles, but it can also help to improve an athlete’s performance. The Missouri Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association points out that many licensed massage therapists trained in sports massage techniques use community sporting events as opportunities to educate the general public about the physical, psychological and physiological benefits of sports massage.
Improves Circulation
Massage can aid the body in recovering faster from a strenuous workout or sports competition. It can also prevent soreness from setting in. Massage therapy increases circulation and gets blood pumping throughout your body. Decreased blood flow puts more strain on your heart and can make you feel tired and sore. While muscles that are squeezed tight don’t let much blood pass through, the manual pressure of a massage loosens up tightened muscles and gets more oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells. Releasing contracted muscles also allows for improved muscle flexibility, elasticity and joint mobility.
Speeds Healing
When an athlete experiences an injury, there can be lasting effects even when an injury appears to be healing. Scar tissue often forms within healthy muscle tissue, and this can prevent an athlete from returning to his previous level of performance. Regular exercise can leave behind small amounts of scar tissue, leaving a muscle susceptible to injury and pain. Sports massage works to make scar tissue more pliable for faster healing. However, the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research warns that massage should not be painful. If any part of a massage feels painful or uncomfortable, tell the massage therapist immediately, as applying too much pressure can sometimes lead to serious problems.
Reduces Stress
Massage therapy helps to reduce an athlete’s stress by stimulating the release of endorphins; the “feel good” hormones in the body that make a person feel more relaxed. While anyone can benefit from less stress, massage therapy can be particularly helpful to athletes who are highly competitive and under high levels of stress. Massage activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system to relax muscle tension, and allows the heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal.
Boosts the Immune System
Regular workouts and sports competitions can deplete the body of amino acids and other essential nutrients. Massage therapy minimizes the effects of this depletion. It can also help to boost the immune system, which in turn, aids the body in fighting off illness. Massage therapy keeps athletes energized and healthy for future workouts.
Alleviates Muscle Tenderness
Massage therapy offers benefits to athletes both before and after practice workouts and sports events. Similar to the gentle stroking and kneading techniques of Swedish massage, the massaging actions of sports massage works to stretch and loosen tight muscles. Massage alleviates muscle tenderness and helps muscles heal more quickly from workouts. Muscles tend to tighten and begin to lose flexibility when they are overworked. Consequently, tight muscles can be painful and are more prone to pulls and tears.
