Posts Tagged ‘massage’

Sports Massage

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Massage is commonly acknowledged as a relaxation luxury, as well as often assumed to be a form of pampering. After a long hard day, nothing feels better or more deserved than getting a full body relaxation massage. However, when it comes to sports massage, an entirely different purpose and experience is found, one that is just as beneficial but appropriated for a different cause.

Sports Massage incorporates similar massage techniques as other forms of massage, but it also includes hydrotherapy treatments, flexibility stretching, and even some strength training principles. Fro any athletic regime sports massage can add that extra ingredient that will aide in developing a complete balanced workout. Athletes that participate in high performance sports and who integrate spots massage into their routine are going to reap the reconstructive benefits that sport massage offers.

Athletics are hard on the body, and a total conditioning program needs to be balanced with something that will enable safe and effective recovery in-between training. When a body is continually pushed beyond its limits sports massage can be the additional remedy in which to curb stiffness and soreness. Sports Massage can also initiate a faster recovery time and relieve those strains that could ultimately lead to injury.

Sports massage stimulates circulation within the venous system of the body, as well as uses muscle friction and compression to alleviate knots and tightness within the body, preventing some overuse injuries and pain. Trigger points are most times the culprit of soreness and can be attributed for someone who has a smaller range of flexibility.

These sore spots within the muscles exude pain when pressed and which can affect larger areas of the muscle if not attended to. Sports massage directly approaches the issue at hand, and is quoted as using “specific application…to achieve a specific goal”

There are different levels and techniques found in sports massage, each one have different purposes and outcomes. These four types are specifically designed to meet a clients needs wherever the find themselves in the spectrum of athleticism.

Pre-event Sports Massage is usually much shorter in length than other types of sports massage. This type of massage is most commonly administered a few days or even hours before the activity. In the case of the runner before a race, the hamstrings and quadriceps might be the main focus, since this type of massage tends to be more isolated to one area of the body. Whatever area of the body is most likely the part that will bear the brunt of the strenuous activity, will most likely be worked on.

Post Event Sports Massage is one that takes place within an hour or two of the activity, and allows for immediate tension release. Its benefit is that it alleviates the affects of onset muscle soreness that usually will occur 24-48 hours after the event takes place. Restorative Sports Massage can happen in the middle of training or partaking in an activity.

Most professional athletes will have sports massage therapist awaiting them on the sidelines for a quick restorative massage between plays. Rehabilitative Sports Massage is a type of massage focused on restoring an already injured part of the body, and coaxing it back into balance within the body.

Massage Therapy

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Massage therapy has a rich and far-reaching history as it has been practiced within the healing arts community for thousands of centuries. Dating back almost 3,000 years ago massage therapy has always been deemed a great beneficiary act for those hoping to improve poor circulation and increase joint mobility. People of all origins have found that massage therapy has relaxation and healing proponents, which is evidenced by the involvement of the ancient Egyptian, Persian, Hindu, and Chinese cultures.

Today, massage is still wide received as an integral part of most rehabilitation programs. Massage therapy has even benefited those who have dealt with chronic conditions, diabetes, immunity inhibition, high blood pressure, fatigue, low back pain, and many forms of depression, not to mention much more.

One of the major attributes that massage therapy can introduce is the alleviation of everyday stress and tension. Stress has been linked to illness, depression, and sleep depravation, making it a fierce predator against whole-body health. Millions of people today suffer from the aftereffects of stress and turn to massage therapy for assistance.

Massage therapy is a series of techniques that “work” the muscular framework of the body by the initialization of soft tissue manipulation. It is a “touch therapy” process in which a certified massage therapist will assess the necessary changes that need to be made in the body to restore it to health. The goal of rubbing the body is to stimulate friction within the tissues.

Another benefit of massage therapy is its “somatic” approach to healing. This is similar to Pilates-based therapy, yoga, and Pilates itself since the definition means “of the body”. Its approach to wellness is through the portal of the “whole-body” perspective. Instead of just the basic physiology of massage therapy being introduced to your body, a mental awareness is also promoted. When physical tension is released, mental exercitation is increased. Most people will feel the immediate affects of relaxation and mental invigoration moments after a massage is completed.

The variety of massage therapy practices can add up to over 250 different kinds of implementation. Each type of massage introduces different aspects of basic “body work”. The basics of massage include: stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, friction, vibration, and pressure. Some massages include hot stones, aromatherapy oils, and water pressure to spotlight certain parts of the body.

Massage therapy is a great addition to any healthcare routine. Experts have accounted that nearly ninety percent of diseases are tension and stress related. Stress can physically change our appearance, undoubtedly speeding up the inevitable aging process. It also affects the internal clockwork of our body chemistry, and can wear down the efficiency of our organs.

Even though today we consider massages to be a luxury or a way to “treat ourselves”, it can be more than just a stone in the bedrock of our overall health- it can be an eminent necessity to maintain a healthy balance between activity and relaxation.