Massage Therapists - Check over here How They Are Helping Athletes
Massage therapy has existed as long as the human culture. In actuality, you will find descriptions of these historical remedies that date back to the Egyptian times. Today, it has evolved into a very different profession. It's now considered a more sophisticated and demanding career that combines science, psychology and art. The discipline gives a deep understanding of the human body and brain, that helps in creating innovative therapeutic solutions for sportsmen and sportswomen of all kinds.
Sports massage is the exceptional application of therapeutic methods, range of motion, hydrotherapy protocols and flexibility and strength training principles used to lead to a particular objective when treating an athletic athlete. This type of therapy focuses on the sportsman's body that is in need of deep tissue massage that increases the capability of the muscle tissues to withstand extreme physical stress and improve their performance. The use of such therapy increases blood circulation and hormonal response to the body which is crucial in the recovery and regeneration of muscles which were damaged during the exercise regimen.
In sports massage, the massage therapist tightens and elongates muscles, especially the muscles of the lower back, to improve mobility. The therapist also uses massage strokes which stimulate the lymphatic system and increases the flow of oxygen into the cells and cells that are stressed during the exercise routine. This enhances the function of the immune system by reducing the inflammation of injured muscles and tissues. Sports massage can also help relieve the pain of the injured muscles and lessen the risk of the injury to get worse during the next workout. There are also a reduction in the recovery period and the healing of injured muscles and tendons.
This type of massage provides a deep tissue treatment that works by entering the deeper layers of the skin and cells. This allows the therapist to release the adhesions, knots and triggers that are embedded deep within the muscle cells. Most athletes find this massage very beneficial as it provides a thorough stretch, reduces the swelling and bruises that may form during the game or training session. It also works on the adhesion of scar tissues and improves the flow of lymph and nutrient fluids into the areas that are affected. Sports massage can be used following an injury or before a game related activity to increase performance.
The lactate or lactic acid build up in muscles, bones, tendons and connective tissues if they become strained or overworked for a very long period. This build up of lactic acid reduces their elasticity and prevents the joints from moving properly. When the body doesn't have enough adequate time to recover and repair itself, the damaged tissues will accumulate and form into pains, aches and other symptoms. The massage therapist will use sports massage to release the lactic acid in the damaged muscle tissues, relieving the pain and preventing further damage to occur. This prevents further harm and pain later on. A good therapist will know when to perform this massage so that it doesn't over-stretch or damage the muscles further.
Another common injury that can result from a normal workout regimen is tennis elbow. Athletes who play tennis, golf or some other contact sports are especially susceptible to this sort of injury as they frequently use their hands and forearms to make the high impact moves. To prevent tennis elbow, a sports massage therapist can apply slow circular motions to loosen up tight muscles, reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. This therapy is usually used immediately following a tennis tournament or before an important match. It may also be used before intense exercise or resistance training.
When an athlete is involved in intense physical activity or a sporting event, abrupt changes to their training routine can cause soreness, muscle spasms and even trauma. This type of pain can be quite serious and also cause the athlete to miss a game or practice. A professional sports massage therapist may use massage techniques to restore and protect the injured area and reduce inflammation. This sort of therapy is often used as a portion of post-surgical services to help decrease any pain that is associated with surgery. Post-surgical, injured athletes are often recommended for a series of post-operative sports massage techniques to prevent them from growing any of the post-surgical restrictions like tightness or inflammation. This kind of therapeutic treatment may also help prevent additional injury and pain.
If you think you have what it takes to become a professional sports massage therapist, there are several courses and programs offered at local colleges and medical schools. Some colleges also offer certificate programs and are searching for motivated people to help ensure that all of their students have a thorough understanding of the science and art of massage. With the huge knowledge and skill of today's sports massage therapists, it is no wonder why they're paid extremely well. Learning the basic techniques of massage and being trained by a highly skilled, well-trained therapist can open up many doors in a sport person's livelihood.