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Benefits of Sports Massage
26 Mar

Benefits of Sports Massage

Benefits of Sports Massage

It’s that time of year again when the days start to get lighter and we get the spring back in our step. With plentiful opportunities coming up in the running calendar this year, many of us are getting off the couch, dusting off the trainers and getting stuck into a training regime.

Once we start to lead a more active athletic lifestyle, then massage becomes as essential as a good rehabilitation and training programme, rest and food. It helps to prevent niggles becoming problems that then interfere with your training.

Sports massage is a hands-on treatment that sits within sports physiotherapy. It’s purpose is to alleviate and rehabilitate the musculoskeletal system.

It has three different purposes: pre-event, post-event and maintenance massage to ensure the body can operate at its optimal. It’s not just athletes that benefit though; anyone wishing to prevent or recover from a general tension or soft tissue injury would also benefit greatly from a deep-tissue, sports massage.

So, whether you’re an athlete or a couch to 5k here are the top 8 benefits to a sports massage.

  1. Sports massage can speed up recovery healing times and alleviate soft tissue injury, strains and soreness by restoring mobility and flexibility in muscle tissue.
  2. Sports massage prevents post exercise pain – a condition called technically called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This condition happens a few hours after exercise, and can not only be painful but also effects function.
  3. Improved blood and lymph circulation leads to increased blood supply, removal of lactic acid, and a reduction in cramping.
  4. Restore and re-balance muscle imbalances to ensure optimal and pain-free movement.
  5. For relaxation, wellness and to reduce anxiety. Massages literally make you happy by reducing our blood pressure and stress hormones.
  6. Muscles massaged after exercise have fewer damaged fibres and less signs of white blood cells meaning the body does not have to work as hard to repair after exercise.
  7. Boosts immune defence. By decreasing cortisol levels our immune cells become less compromised. Additional white blood cells help to ward off illness.
  8. Improved function, energy and performance. Prepares you physically and mentally for optimum performance and productivity.

If you’re looking for an experienced sports physiotherapist in Manchester, then call 0161 833 3008 to make an appointment.