Massage Therapists - How They're Helping Athletes
Massage therapy has been around as long as the human culture. In fact, there are descriptions of such historical remedies that date back to the Egyptian times. Today, it has evolved into a very different profession. It is now considered a more sophisticated and demanding career that combines science, art and psychology. The discipline provides a deep understanding of the human body and brain, that helps in creating innovative therapeutic solutions for sportsmen and sportswomen of all types.
Sports massage is the exceptional application of therapeutic methods, range of motion, hydrotherapy protocols and flexibility and weight training principles used to lead to a particular objective when treating an athletic athlete. This type of therapy focuses on the sportsman's body that is in need of deep tissue massage that increases the ability of the muscle tissues to withstand intense physical stress and improve their performance. The use of these therapy increases blood circulation and hormonal response to the body which is crucial in the healing and regeneration of muscles that were damaged during the workout routine.
In sports massage, the massage therapist awakens and elongates muscles, especially the muscles of the lower spine, to improve mobility. The therapist also uses massage strokes which stimulate the lymphatic system and increases the flow of oxygen to the cells and tissues that are stressed throughout the workout regimen. This improves the function of the immune system by decreasing the inflammation of injured muscles and cells. Sports massage may also help alleviate the pain of the injured muscles and lessen the risk of the injury to get worse during the next workout. There are also a decline in the recovery time and the recovery of injured muscles and tendons.
This type of massage provides a deep tissue treatment that works by entering the deeper layers of the skin and tissues. This allows the therapist to release the adhesions, triggers and knots that are embedded deep within the muscle cells. Most athletes find this massage very valuable as it provides a comprehensive stretch, reduces the swelling and bruises that can form during the game or training session. It also works on the adhesion of scar tissues and improves the flow of lymph and nutrient fluids to the areas that are affected. Sports massage can be used after an injury or before a game related activity to increase performance.
The lactate or lactic acid build up in muscles, bones, tendons and connective tissues if they become strained or overworked for a long period. This build up of lactic acid reduces their elasticity and prevents the joints from moving properly. When the body does not have enough adequate time to recover and repair itself, the damaged cells will collect and form into pains, aches and other symptoms. The massage therapist will use sports massage to release the lactic acid in the damaged muscle tissues, relieving the pain and preventing further damage to occur. This prevents further harm and pain later on. A good therapist will know when to perform this massage so that it does not over-stretch or damage the muscles further.
Another common injury that can result from a normal workout routine is tennis elbow. Athletes who play tennis, golf or some other contact sports are particularly susceptible to this type of injury as they frequently use their hands and forearms to make the high impact moves. To prevent tennis elbow, a sports massage therapist may employ slow circular motions to loosen up tight muscles, reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. This therapy is usually used immediately after a tennis tournament or before an important game. It can also be used prior to intense exercise or strength training.
Once an athlete is involved in intense physical activity or a sporting event, sudden changes to their training routine can cause soreness, muscle spasms and even injury. This type of pain can be very serious and also cause the athlete to miss a game or practice. A professional sports massage therapist may use massage methods to restore and protect the injured area and reduce inflammation. This type of therapy is frequently used as a portion of post-surgical services to help reduce any pain that is associated with surgery. Post-surgical, injured athletes are often recommended for a series of post-operative sports massage methods to prevent them from growing any of the post-surgical restrictions like tightness or inflammation. This form of therapeutic treatment can also help prevent additional injury and pain.
If you think you have what it takes to be a professional sports massage therapist, there are several courses and programs offered at local colleges and medical schools. Some schools also offer certification programs and are searching for motivated individuals to help ensure that all of their students have a comprehensive grasp of the science and art of massage. With the vast knowledge and ability of today's sports massage therapists, it is no wonder why they are paid extremely well. Learning the basic techniques of massage and being trained by an extremely skilled, well-trained therapist may open up many doors in a sport person's livelihood. 세종출장