Notes

Sports Massage: The Physiological Effect
Manual therapy, also referred to as sports massage is a therapy that is used mainly by physical therapists, athletes trainers occupational therapists, and physiotherapists to help with muscle pain and immobility. It involves gentle manipulating and kneading to soften joints, and soft tissue manipulation. This is a particular kind of massage that improves mobility and flexibility, as well as alignment. Sports massage is part of a comprehensive wellness program and is usually integrated into medical sports medicine. It can also be used as an individual therapy for self-help.

To be effective, sports massage should be incorporated into at the very least five major areas that include the back, shoulder and neck, shoulder blade forearm, hip. The soft tissue area could easily be damaged if it is not stimulated for a prolonged duration. If massage is not done correctly, muscle stiffness and spasm may occur. Effleurage or gliding movements with the hands that include palm to palm and fingertips to fingertips, are effective during sports massage. Also recommended are shiatsu techniques. Shiatsu employs pressure using fingers to penetrate muscles and connective tissue with the stimulation of collagen to increase cell growth and healing.

Techniques for sports massage should incorporate various types of strokes and be performed with consistent pressure and rhythm to increase blood flow to all parts of the body. For example, the technique of effleurage (or moving your fingertips) should be performed on the entire body for maximum benefits. Percussive exercises, such as those that are performed using a roller or a ball placed on the shoulders of a therapist can help improve posture. The gentle squeezing and effleurage of soft tissues and the direction of the movements encourage blood flow. This assists in increasing flexibility in the spine.

Different sports massage treatment methods are applied according to the sport. Sport massage is different if you are treating injured tissues or muscles. Your therapist will be able to help you determine which treatment is suitable for you. Certain massage techniques are suitable for certain sports, while others can be utilized by all athletes.

The primary objective of sports massage is to ease pain by applying a strong pressure and long strokes over specific areas. It is designed to improve blood circulation, decrease stiffness, and restore normal ranges of motion, specifically in the neck, shoulders and elbows and the knees, hips the knees, and hips. One of the main benefits is the stimulation of lymphatic drainage, which is the elimination of waste substances from the body and increased circulation. This enhances the health and functioning of the immune system.

Massage therapy also eases discomfort and improves mobility through targeted pressure and friction over injured areas. These increase blood flow and tissue elasticity, allowing fluid flow without restriction. The risk of injury is reduced due to the stretching of tissues and reduced inflammation reduces pain thresholds.

Sports massage is a great therapy with many benefits. It can increase the flexibility of joints, increase muscle strength, and relax muscles that are tired. It also has a physiological impact. The body releases natural chemicals that help heal after a massage. Massage therapy can have physiological effects like an increase in blood flow, decreased stiffness, and an increase in lymphatic drainage.

Massage therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions however the main goal is to relieve pain. It reduces inflammation and swelling by stretching tight muscles. It eases muscles and tissues that are stiff and sore, which reduces the need for medication and other treatments that don't help in healing. It improves tissue flexibility which aids in faster recovery and healing after an injury. It also increases the production of natural healing compounds such as collagen and elastin. These are all vital physiological effects of a therapeutic massage.
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