Benefits of Sports Massage
Sports massage can speed healing from injury, prevent injuries from occurring, lessens soreness and pain. It allows muscles to receive crucial oxygen and nutrients important for daily living, growth & repair etc.
Sports massage before an event enables muscles to loosen, which prepares them for the tough task/challenge ahead. A quick massage before an event increases flexibility & circulation, energising & preparing muscles, thus preventing any further trauma or injuries.
Physical benefits (Physiological and Biomechanical)
Sports massage improves blood flow & nutrient delivery to muscles, efficient clearing of harmful metabolic by-products, tension reduction in the fascia (a structure of connective tissue that surrounds muscles) reduction of scar tissue, improves tissue elasticity & ability to absorb nutrients, also known as micro-circulation.
Mental benefits (Psychological)
Chemical hormones are also induced & released during sports massage; Dopamine, a feel-good hormone also relating to normal brain functioning; Serotonin, enhances mood state; Oxytocin, known as the love or hug hormone is increased. Whereas hormones Epinephrine, Norepinephrine & Cortisol is reduced, which is related to stress, immune & digestive disruption.
Please note:
Sports massage therapy is not just for sportspeople. Anyone can benefit from sports massage, including those in physically demanding jobs & those not quite so obvious (occupational, emotional & postural stress which produce similar characteristics to sports injuries) for e.g. By reducing muscle tension/pain within the neck & back muscles it can reduce migraine attacks & back pain from poor posture etc.
