Dec
Benefits of Massage
Sports Massage – Benefits and Effects of Sports Massage
Sports massage should play an important part in the life of any triathlete whether they are injured or not. Massage has a number of physical benefits.
Massage can :
Cure and restore mobility to injured muscle tissue.
Boost performance.
Extend the overall life of your sporting career.
Effects of massage are:
Pumping – The stroking movements in massage suck fluid through blood and lymph vessels. By increasing the pressure in front of the stroke, a vacuum is created behind. This is important in tight or damaged muscles as an overused muscle will squeeze blood out like a sponge, depriving the tissues of oxygen and healing factors.
Increased tissue permeability – Deep massage causes the pores in tissue membranes to open, enabling fluids and nutrients to pass through. This helps remove waste products like lactic acid and encourages muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients which help them recover quickly.
Stretching – Massage can stretch tissues that could not be stretched in the usual methods. Bundles of muscle fibers are stretched lengthwise as well as sideways. Massage can also stretch the sheath or fascia that surrounds the muscle, so releasing any tension or pressure build up.
Break down scar tissue – Scar tissue is the result of previous injuries or trauma and can affect muscle, tendons and ligaments. This can lead to inflexible tissues that are prone to injury and pain.
Pain reduction – Waste products in muscles causes pain. Massage helps reduce this in many ways including releasing the bodies endorphins. In fact, massage patients are 20 times less likely to be sore after a tough workout.
Anxiety reduction – through the effects mentioned above relaxation is induced and so reduces anxiety levels. In many studies massage can reduce anxiety more than medications can.
