Sports Massage

The aim of all massage is to release tension, improve circulation and restore balance. There are many types of massage and these are used for different purposes. Like other groups in society, sportspersons also have their own particular problems and requirements. Sports massage aims at addressing these problems and help sportspersons perform to the best of their capacity and be free of physical problems that result from their enthusiastic activities. Sports in any form involve a good amount of physical activity that tends to overstretch the capacity of the individual. Since sportspersons compete with one another and try to outperform the others this necessarily involves overstretching their physical capabilities. In order to excel in sports they need to constantly train themselves and each such training session also tends to put a strain on their body as they strive to increase their stamina, speed and endurance. All these call for special corrective measures. Sports massages offer one such group of measures.

There are three broad types of sports massages. These are

Effleurage: Effleurage involves stroking movements applied with the palm and fingers. The pressure that is applied is varied depending on the purpose. This is very useful in starting a massage session. It consists of firm strokes with the full palm on the upward stroke and light return strokes that take a different path from those of the upward strokes. Effleurage is carried out in a relaxed manner and starts with light strokes building up pressure as the massage progresses.

Petrissage: This is a massage that resembles a kneading action and is performed on the deeper tissues. The idea is to relax and stretch muscle fibers and mobilize the fluids. Petrissage is a technique that is very powerful and can be used to mobilize fluids in deep muscles and to stretch them. Because it targets the deeper muscles it is not suited to narrow areas, and may even cause harm if used on such parts.

Frictions. These are used to explore the muscles and limbs by using the thumb to feel for abnormalities. The technique can also be used for breaking down lesions, separating muscle fibers, and reducing the effect of scars.

The benefits of Sports massages are many and can benefit sportspersons by both improving their performance and preventing future injuries. The biggest benefit is that when used regularly and applied skillfully, sports massages can prevent injuries that might otherwise occur. Regular activity in the form of training and competition causes tension to build up in the ligaments joints and muscles that frequently go unnoticed until it is too late. If left unattended these can cause debilitating injuries or damage that can prevent the sportsperson from performing. Regular and skillful massage helps in detecting these areas of tension and eliminating them in a timely manner. Apart from this, sports massages help in keeping the person fit and enhances the skill level.

For all its goodness, there are times when you should avoid sports massages. It stands to reason that you should avoid these massages if you are not well. Apart from this, you should also avoid these massages if you react adversely to such massage or have serious skin infections. In general, if you notice abnormal symptoms, it is better to consult a doctor before proceeding with the massage.

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