HOW CAN SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY HELP ME ACHIEVE MY GOALS?
Sports massage therapy has been proven to contribute to the successful completion of fitness and lifestyle goals in three main categories;
1) Contribution towards body composition goals
2) Contribution towards injury prevention and rehabilitation
3) Contribution towards cognitive rehabilitation and relaxation
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Contribution towards body composition goals:
Sports massage therapy assists with body composition changes by simply allowing you to do more physical activity and to push yourself harder by making your body feel at its best. Whether this be to increase the rate of body fat loss or increase muscle mass; the ability to move more, lift more weights comfortably, and increase your overall intensity without strain or injury is vital to optimising your peak performance output.
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The ideal frequency for undertaking sports massage therapy sessions for assisting with body composition goals and general body maintenance is recommended at least once per month.
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Contribution towards injury prevention and rehabilitation:
Sports massage therapy contributes towards injury prevention and rehabilitation in equal measure. Regular sports massage therapy sessions softens muscle tissue which reduces the build-up of thick fascia tissue which is the leading common cause of muscle strain and tension through weighted or weightless repetitive movement. This targeted approach prevents injuries by allowing the body to avoid movement compensations directed by misaligned posture which is caused by overly tight muscles, whilst encouraging muscle flexibility and maximum joint range of motion. Additionally, regular sports massage sessions allow for speedy recovery between intense workouts by increasing the blood and oxygen circulation directly to the muscle which reduces delayed on-set muscle soreness (DOMS).
Similarly, the use of sports massage therapy sessions for rehabilitation is vital. During the recovery process for muscular tears, reconstruction procedures, and broken bones; the body produces scar tissue and adhesions which can limit normal bodily movement and functionality. Specific sports massage therapy works to break down this scar tissue and adhesions to promote healthy movement and muscle growth around the impacted areas through swelling reduction and drainage. By allowing for this promotion of muscle growth and reduction of swelling, a sports massage therapist will be able to re-educate the body into correct movement patterns and muscle setting.
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The ideal frequency for undertaking sports massage therapy sessions for assisting with specific injury rehabilitation is recommended at least once per week.
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Contribution towards cognitive rehabilitation and relaxation:
The classic and most commonly known benefit of massages in general are the relaxation serenity; allowing for a sense of peace, calm, and tranquility. ​Sports massage therapy works in a very similar way, however, the main difference is during spa massage treatments the firmness tends to be mild and soft which doesn't directly contribute to muscle release, but does create a temporary feeling of calm. A sports therapy massage is typically firm and intense to give the body the actual feeling of long lasting relaxation by ironing out muscle tension, which can be caused by stress, most commonly found in the neck and head. This physical reduction of muscular stress leads to further positive benefits which includes improved quality of sleep, reduced anxiety, and clear focus.