Full Audio Version: 7 Benefits of Sports Massage
There's no denying that sports massage has been hugely beneficial for athletes. Whether it's pre-performance, post-performance, rehabilitation, or to train harder, hundreds of athletes take advantage of sports massage professionals every year.
And although it sounds like this type of therapy is only for athletes, sports massage can be applied to anyone and offers huge benefits for all bodies.
Curious to learn how sports massages can help you? Here are seven of the best benefits of sports massages and why you should consider a session.
1. It Can Manage Stress Relief
When the body is stressed, it doesn't function as well as it should do. From physical fatigue to mental stress after a chaotic working week, you need to address this anxiety for your body to work properly.
When you undergo a massage, the therapist will aid recovery, prevent injury, boost your immune system. However, sports massage courses also teach therapists how to reduce the amount of stress-related hormones in your body. A sports massage is designed to target tense muscles and increase relaxation throughout your entire body.
2. It Improves Your Circulation
For people with conditions such as diabetes, Raynaud's disease, or arterial issues, a sports massage can help to manage symptoms. This is because the massages relax the muscles in the body, making them less tense and increasing blood supply.
Suddenly, nutrients will be sent to the muscles and flush out unwanted products like lactic acid. This improvement in circulation helps to reduce the chances of injury and improve recovery.
3. It Reduces Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Massages help the body turn off the sympathetic nervous system (your fight or flight response) and encourages your involuntary nervous system (the parasympathetic) to create a resting response in the body. In less scientific terms, this essentially means your body is in a relaxed state, which allows the heart rate and blood pressure to lower.
4. Improved Sleep
Getting enough sleep is paramount to maintaining a healthy body, as it allows your mind and body to recharge. A regular sleeping pattern also helps the body remain healthy, fight and prevent diseases, and allows the brain to function properly.
By reducing stress, anxiety, pain and promoting relaxation, a sports massage can improve your sleeping pattern.
5. Decreases Muscle Soreness
After any physical activity and exercise, your muscles undergo micro-tears in the fibers, which is what causes the aching feeling after a workout. With sports massage, waste products are flushed out and the blood flow is restored and improved. This not only decreases muscle soreness but also speeds up their repair.
6. It Can Increase Mobility
Sports massage increases the movement of the joints by lengthening and stretching the muscles around them. During a session, the amount of synovial fluid inside your joints increases, allowing more movement between bones.
Whether you want to experience better mobility after a workout or improve your moving ability due to a condition, sports massages can prove to be extremely beneficial in these circumstances.
7. It Increases Your Mood
When you have a sports massage, your feel-good hormones (serotonin and oxytocin) are released and increased. This means you'll always leave in a better mood, which can greatly impact your mental health.
Look After Your Body and Mind
Whether you're a seasoned athlete looking to maintain your overall health, or you have a physical or mental health condition that you're looking to improve, a regular sports massage could be your answer. From improving sleep to helping reduce muscle soreness, there are so many ways you can benefit. Why not sign up for a session this week and see if you notice a difference?