Sports Massages
Sports Massages- Sports massages are commonly performed on competitive athletes, as part of a complete physical training program. However, they not only benefit athletes, but also produce positive results for mothers with small children, construction workers,or anyone else who has an a physically taxing job. Plus, those who have sustained an injury may find sports massage beneficial for speeding up their recovery.
Sports massages consist of one or more therapeutic hands-on treatments, and are intended to assist the body in repairing damaged or strained muscle tissue. Deep Swedish massage, compression massage, accupressure, and lymphatic massage are all techniques that may be incorporated into a therapeutic sports massage session. This type of treatment is often performed in a chair or on a table for a period of half an hour or longer.
As part of a regular conditioning routine, sports massages can help an athlete prevent injury. They stretch muscle tissue promoting flexibility that increases the range of motion in large muscle groups, improving power and performance. In addition, sports massages increase blood flow, helping damaged or strained muscles to receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal. When muscles are broken down, acidic metabolic by-products can linger in the body as a result. However, sports massage is used to illuminate these potentially harmful by-products, and reduce the recovery time between workouts.
Overall, the benefits of receiving a therapeutic sports massage include better conditioning and quicker muscle repair. This type of treatment can make it possible to heal faster from an injury, or become a stronger athlete by maximizing the results of training.
However, there are times when a sports massage can be dangerous and is contraindicated. Certain types of injuries should not be massaged, because they can actually become worse, or even cause death. Open wounds should not receive sports massage therapy until a scar has properly formed. Plus, ruptured muscles/tendons, contusions, tumors, and artificial blood vessels can all be aggravated or made more dangerous by applying the hand-on pressure associated sports massage treatment. In addition, if the person who is receiving a sports massage has a blood clot, the result can be an embolism, stroke, or even death. It is recommended to to consult with a physician before receiving this type of treatment with an existing medical condition.
The average cost for a sports massage is usually between $50 to $160 per hour. They can be performed by any massage therapist who has been professionally trained in this specialty, and are commonly available inside fitness clubs, health spas, or athletic training centers.