Choose The Right Sports Massage Therapist By Using These Techniques
Choose The Right Sports Massage Therapist By Using These Techniques
Blog Article
Can Sports Massage Help Arthritis?
Amateur athletes put their bodies through a similar amount of strain as professional athletes and can also benefit from sports massage. It can help them recover quickly from exercise and training sessions, reducing the risk of injury.
Massage stimulates the production of serotonin which boosts mood and can improve sleep quality, as well as increasing daytime energy levels. Massage also enhances flexibility by breaking down inflexible scar tissue that can form after an injury.
Increased Temperature
One of the most common symptoms of arthritis is pain and stiffness in the joints. Regular massage can help to reduce these symptoms, allowing individuals to live their lives more comfortably and to continue with their daily activities without being restricted by these painful symptoms.
This is achieved through a number of different physiological effects, including the removal of toxins, the breakdown of adhesions, increased flexibility and the increase in blood flow to muscles, tendons and ligaments. These improvements in vascular circulation lead to reduced swelling, a faster healing process and the ability to deliver nutrients and oxygen to areas that are injured.
A key benefit of massage is the release of the body’s natural pain killers, called endorphins. Combined with the effects of increased blood flow, these natural chemicals can have an immediate effect on reducing the feeling of pain and discomfort associated with arthritis.
Breakdown of Adhesions
Both sports massage and deep tissue massage can help break down inflexible scar tissue that forms as a result of injury. This will help restore the natural movement of muscles and ligaments that can be impacted by arthritis.
Kneading manipulations used during a sports massage increase the flexibility of fascia compartments and muscle bundles by moving them over each other, loosening and stretching them. This increases the elasticity of tissues and reduces tightness that can cause friction between bones in joints, which is another common symptom of arthritis.
The kneading action of sports massage also creates a pumping effect that can remove waste products from the blood vessels. This will also promote the flow of fresh oxygenated blood, which can help reduce swelling and improve circulation in the area. This will also help the muscles and tissues to recover faster after an activity. This will also reduce stiffness and joint pain caused by arthritis. Achieving a regular regime of sports massage is recommended to reduce arthritis symptoms and prevent them from returning.
Breakdown of Inflexible Scar Tissue
For individuals suffering from arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis, it's important to communicate with your therapist and let them know the specific areas that are affected. This will allow the therapist to modify both pressure and techniques for optimal results.
For example, if you're suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, a sports massage may help improve healthy circulation in the joint and reduce swelling. This in turn can improve your overall quality of life.
Additionally, regular sessions can increase flexibility in muscles and tendons. This can help you perform everyday tasks, like stretching to reach a high shelf or bending down to tie your shoelaces. This type of flexibility can also prevent injuries, as it minimizes the amount of strain on your joints and muscles during physical activities. In addition, it allows you to recover more quickly from training or a workout. This is especially beneficial for athletes. The accelerated recovery process can also lower the risk of injury during your next event.
Increased Flexibility
Massage stretches and mobilises the soft tissues of the body. This helps improve flexibly of muscles, fascia tissue, tendons and ligaments which can help reduce the risk of injury.
Massage also helps reduce swelling, a common symptom of arthritis. This is achieved through the increase in blood flow to the affected group discounts for sports massage area. Massage also stimulates the body’s natural painkillers which help ease the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis.
Moderate pressure massage is more effective than light for reducing arthritic pain, according to a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. However, always communicate with your therapist about the level of pressure you would like to use.
Kneading is a common manipulation used in a sports massage and involves lifting, squeezing and moving the tissue with alternate pressure and relaxation of the hand strokes. This increases circulation, removes waste products and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. The squeezing action also improves muscle condition by stretching the tight fascia and muscle fibres.