Sports Massage therapy has, for a long time and has been essential for professionals. England football fans will remember the urgent treatment sought by its players in the 2017 World Cup semi-final. When the semi-final was in a tension break at extra time, physical therapists were seeking to reduce the damage to muscles. England was eliminated from the semi-final, however, the advantages of massages for sport remain.

Now Sports Massage treatment is becoming more popular than ever, particularly with people who are not professionals.

But why are athletes and their wives so in love with Sports Massages? The reason is that they are effective. Here are 11 reasons why you should consider a Sports Massage can change your life within just 30 minutes.

1. It is a proven remedy to treat muscle soreness and injuries prevention

Most men and women are sore after exercising. The muscle soreness typically manifests with a dull ache that occurs a couple of hours after exercise, and continues for a few days. It’s known as delayed muscular soreness (DOMS). The main cause of DOMS is thought to be eccentric contraction which causes the muscle to lengthen as it contracts. This includes exercises like running downhill, lifting weights or lowering into the squat or push-up. Particularly, lower body movements can cause more soreness than upper-body exercises.

This soreness generally becomes evident within six to eight hours of exercise. It can peak anywhere from one to two days after a workout, before finally diminishing after about 72 hours.

One Australian study examined two groups of men and women in order to determine whether massage therapy for sports was effective. The study compared a “control” group who did not receive massage therapy, and a second group who did. Both groups carried out “eccentric exercises” in order to promote DOMS. Three hours later, members from the second group were given the 10-minute sports massage. This study, that was published in Journal of Athletic Training, discovered that muscle soreness was “significantly lower” for the sports massage group.
The conclusion is that sports massage therapy helped relieve soreness and discomfort by more than 30 percent.
The study in The Journal of Sports Sciences concluded that a 30-minute massage helped bodybuilders after exercise. The bodybuilders did not only exhibit a greater recovery rate but it also enhanced their performance in subsequent workouts which allowed them to recover faster afterward.
The study, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness revealed that massage therapy was beneficial to the healing of soft tissues. The treatments increased the healing capacity of cells called fibroblasts in massaged tendon, which helped speed up the healing process in soft tissues injured. (Fibroblasts are a type of cell found in our body which play a crucial function in healing connective tissue.)

2. How sports massage therapists use specific techniques that are unique to sports massage therapy
The most frequently asked question is what is a sports massage?

It is a new and refined method of therapy. This is because it uses many similar techniques found in other types of massage, and more. It is a similar technique to effleurage and petrissage, which a majority of people will recognize (even if they are unfamiliar about the concepts): such as the circular stroking motions, and squeezes made using the palm of your hand.

However, this could be the place where the similarities stop. Here are the specifics that make massage therapy for sports truly special:

As opposed to other types or types of massages, sports massage is a form of what is known as ‘myofasical’. This technique is used to identify discomfort in the body, more specifically, the areas where pain may be radiating from an exact location in the muscle affected.
Myofasical relaxation is among the many neuromuscular methods that sports massage therapists use to help with recovery. In order for neuromuscular techniques (sometimes referred to as “neuromuscular treatment”) to facilitate recovery from acute and chronic pain syndromes, certain methods are needed. They include stretching and flexing muscles that are affected, and self-treatment at home. Contrary to traditional massages, sports massage therapy requires “homework” -and commitment in order to reap the maximum benefits that can be experienced, which can include regular stretching exercises and the use of a foam roller.
Myofasical releases’ effects are felt deep in the muscles. The result is less pressure on the joints, and the reduction of pain in the treated area. A sports massage, unlike other massages, not just target the muscles but will also treat the rest of the soft tissues, such as the ligaments, tendons, and fascia. (The fascia is an extremely thin layer of fibrous tissue that surrounds the muscles.) It directly connects to the muscles that are overworked due to strenuous exercises, such as athletic.

3. Sports massage vs. deep tissue massage: What can a sports massage be more specific than a deep tissue massage for the treatment of sports-related injuries
It’s not uncommon for people to wonder what the difference between sports massage therapy and Deep Tissue Massage.

As stated above there are commonalities across all of the massage treatments that could cause confusion.

The answer lies in the title The term “deep tissue massage” concentrates on the layers of tissue on top of the muscle, though not specifically on the muscle itself. This kind of pressure can be extremely effective to eliminate any newly-formed knots or the “new” tension that has developed in an area. For “newer”, and relatively minor, pains and aches deep tissue massages are the most efficient.
Massage therapy for sports is the most efficient in treating aches as well as knots which have built up over time. These pains are often “older” or more intense than the ones deep tissue massage addresses.
Sports massage as well as the deep tissue massage use similar techniques and objectives, however, the deep tissue massage has a more “long long-term”. A deep tissue massage is excellent in helping to recover and treating pains in the body, for example, low back pain or repetitive strain injury, but the constant soreness and injuries result from intense workouts or an extremely busy lifestyle are the main reasons why choose to use massage therapy for sports.

Prices for Sports Massage

4. Sports massage therapists are required to have a thorough understanding of how the body works body to allow a sports massage to be effective.
A frequent inquiry is: What is an experienced massage professional do?

The distinguishing elements that separate different massage techniques have already been covered. The practice of sports massage is a refined kind of massage. It has the sole ambitions of improving athletic performance and increasing recovery speed (as well as decreasing the chances of getting injuries).

Sports massage therapists are there to apply the unique techniques to the sport massage. It requires special knowledge that other masseurs or masseuses might not possess.

The effectiveness of massages in sports is due to the fact that massage therapists for sports need to possess an understanding in the body’s anatomy.
A thorough knowledge of the body is vital to help with the identification of abnormalities and issues that can lead to injury if untreated. Handling muscles is also a delicate art.
There is an art of avoiding the problem without making it worse. This is why such a high-level of anatomical understanding is essential.

5. A sports massage has “different strokes” which make use of the “healing power of touch”

The most frequent question requested is the distinction is between a deep tissue massage and the sports massage. It is less common to have a sports massage be compared with one that is a Swedish massage, however, in actuality the sports massage is likely more similar to the Swedish massage, compared to the deeper tissue.

A sports massage shares many of the techniques employed by Swedish massage.
According to Harvard Medical School, the Swedish massage is a sequence of long, gliding strokes that sooth aching muscles, relax connective tissue, and boost circulation. The Swedish massage is defined as “ideal for those who are new to massage and wanting a basic, relaxation massage”.
The sports massage incorporates many of these same gliding strokes, however with a focus on healing, healing from injury, and prevention of sports-related injuries.
What is included in the sports massage is a modification of the relaxing strokes of the Swedish massage to deliver the most customized treatment.
The reason a sports massage is often compared with a deep tissue massage not the Swedish massage — could be because both the deep tissue massage and sports massage are more often associated with “good pain” or mild discomfort. This is due to the fact that to allow a sports massage to function it requires a wider range of motion is often required.

6. A massage prior to or after a workout has impressive benefits for performance

It is typical for sports enthusiasts or athletes to enjoy a “pre-event” massage. These areeffectively warm-up massages that can take as little as 15 minutes up to an hour. They are generally specific to the body areas that will be massaged. Some sports massages prior to events are given within two hours after the event.

The benefits of a pre-event massage don’t have to be immediately prior to the event, or even at the time of event. It can be a helpful “warm up” beginning as early as seven days prior to exercising.
With a pre-event sports massage, the techniques are decreased to help increase joint mobility and to permit stretching of the soft tissues. It’s designed to assist with relaxation and focus and, it is more like its close cousin it’s Swedish massage.
This is where the difference in the massage for deep tissues and sports massage becomes more distinct: a deep tissue massage isn’t advised prior to exercise, as the intense pressures applied to the muscle tissue send the body into recovery mode, not an active state.
Pre-event massages are often accompanied by post-event massages. Veteran athletes can begin these sessions after a few hours. Similar to their pre-event counterparts, massages that focus on recovery can help you recover for a few days after an event.

7. Massage for maintenance: therapy during training

In that tragic 2017 World Cup semi-final, after an entire 90 minutes of game and prior to the addition of additional time was up, the England coaching staff of the team rushed to administer sports massage therapy on their players. While exercising, this form of sports massage therapy is commonly known as maintenance massage.

Maintenance massage has, in a way, two meanings. Runner’s World identifies the maintenance massage as a treatment that helps to ease muscle tightness during an event. Depending on the circumstances this can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, usually during the training phase for a big race, like running a marathon.
But the phrase “maintenance massage” may also be used to describe regular sessions of sports massage. When referred to in this manner the message for maintenance can often be longer than their preor post-sports massage counterparts. They can also utilize more intense strokes to release the tension, with a focus on the trigger points, where the tension may be radiating from within the muscle. They is usually recommended at minimum once a week for optimal efficiency.
In order to avoid confusion, it could be beneficial to refer to for clarity, it is suggested to refer to the Runner’s World definition as pit stop maintenance. This creates a vivid and crystal clear image, for example, an image of England team’s rush to recuperate before the added time.

8. The benefits of a sports massage are immense. healing and health benefits

Sports massages have the added bonus that they incorporate the therapeutic components that other forms of massage are recognized for. It assists with injury prevention and healing, as well as to improve the health of the athlete. It eases the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

One study even found that a partial sports massage resulted in positive hemodynamic changes within the body, such as lower blood pressure as well as a diminished heart rate.
In terms of reducing stress, a massage is highly effective as it increases the release of certain neurotransmitters known as endorphins that are released from pituitary glands and the hypothalamus. These endorphins are your body’s natural pain relief.
Massage therapy, even as a stand-alone therapy, can help sufferers of musculoskeletal conditions through reducing pain and improving functioning.

9. A sports massage eliminates toxins from the body and improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Massage therapy assists in re-aligning the connective tissue and muscles. But the techniques employed work to flush toxins in the process. The two methods these neuromuscular techniques perform to their full potential, one of which is through using pressure and encouraging circulation around the body:

by applying a mechanical pressure to connective tissue and muscles. Toxins are likely to accumulate within joints. When left untreated they can build up which can cause more serious injuries, and more often. These toxins are “flushed” upon applying a physical, or technical, pressure to the muscles and connective tissues.
The mechanical pressure aids in improving the body’s circulation. This helps ensure a healthy blood supply to all tissues and also an effective “venous return”. The venous return is the circulation of blood back to the heart. This venous return that is crucial for the elimination of toxic substances.
The venous flow is the reason for recovery. DOMS caused by infrequent or intense exercise is due to lactic acid and lactic acids reduce oxygen and blood flow in the contracting muscles, which can cause pain and muscle weakness. But the massages during sports can help to replenish blood flow to these muscles.
The compression techniques used in sports massage therapy can also be used to stimulate the lymphatic system. One study discovered it was that “direct physical pressure” on a particular region of the body improved “local micro-circulatory blood flow and lymph flow outcomes”.
A more active lymph system means an increase in lymphatic drainage. A lymphatic system that is stimulated does not just help improve the speed of recovery, but also help prevent conditions like oedema and lymphedema.

10. The practice of massage therapy is based on wisdom passed through the ages

Massage has been utilized by health practitioners to treat injuries and ailments for thousands of years. The earliest recorded examples being in Ancient China around 3000 – 2500 BC.

Massage therapy was developed independently from the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, India, and Japan, in some kind or other. Elements of the Egyptian massage, the reflexology technique, grew into Europe and continue to be in use to this day.
The word “massage” is taken from the Greek word that means “to do something with hands, as in mixing dough”. Massage treatments is a common practice in Ancient Greece is believed to have originated about 800 BC. Around the time of the fifth century BC Hippocrates, the first physician to develop modern medicine recommended “friction” and the benefits of rubbing the body to treat physical injuries.

11. The practice of sports massage was born from a colossal successes

Massage therapy itself is ancient. However, the art and practice of massage therapy for sports is only one hundred years old.

Sports massage therapy was quietly refined in Finland at the turn of the twentieth century. Its roots are in the Swedish massage systemthat was developed in the Finnish School of Massage.
in 1924 Paavo Nurmi, also known as the “Flying Finn” has won five gold medals at the Paris Olympics — which included the 5,000m event less than two hours after his 1,500m race, and setting record times. Nurmi’s domination has yet to be matched. The thing that has made the world sit up and pay attention to the sport massage was Nurmi’s incorporation of this early Finnish practice of massage therapy into his routine of training.
In World War Two Jack Meagher, one of the “father of American massage” worked in the US army as a medic. He first came across the methods of massage therapy when a German POW gifted him a massage.
Meagher couldn’t believe the “astounding” improvements in his athleticism. He later went on to invent the term “sports massage” and invented his own method known as the Meagher Method.
The Meagher Method is a series of soft tissue applications that were developed and based on Meagher’s knowledge of muscle kinetics and anatomical and physiological aspects of our body.

Do you feel a bit swollen after a massage? Good. You’re feeling a little sore after an exercise? Ask yourself: Is there somewhere I can get an athletic massage in my area?

The practice of sports massage has never been more sought-after by professionals, amateurs, and hobbyists alike. The long-running and prolific popularity is a testimony to its efficacy.

The pain that is associated with DOMS results from the micro-trauma inflicted to the muscles and the surrounding connective tissues after a workout and can result in inflammation. The treatment and prevention of DOMS is among the main goals of massage therapy for athletes.

The sport massage therapy is described as the “targeted therapeutic treatment to meet the particular biomechanical and physical needs of athletes” But it doesn’t mean that massage therapy is only for sports enthusiasts or athletes only.

Indeed, as has been proved, sports massage therapy is an excellent source of additional benefits that those who aren’t sports fans might like. These could include those who have stopped exercising and still have the knots and aches of a highly active recent past; those who still walk regularly, or for those who are curious.