Whether you play a professional sport or lead a very active lifestyle, a sports massage can assist with training, rehabilitation, and pre-or post-performance goals. Sports massages help improve circulation, aid recovery and long-term maintenance and reduce muscle tension, but how frequently should you get one? This article will discuss the benefits and how often should you get a sports massage.
Reason for Getting a Sports Massage
There are many reasons to get a sports massage. Massage is a popular treatment for sportsmen and women to cool down after physical activity. The slow massage techniques can stimulate the muscles to relax and reduce the risk of injuries such as ‘delayed onset muscle soreness’. It helps minimise any waste products the muscles produce during the sport or activity. Athletes and joggers frequently benefit from sports massage because it can:
- Improve their training by reducing muscle stiffness,
- Restore energy levels,
- Prevent injury, cramps and spasms.
How Often Should You Have a Sports Massage?
As an athlete or sportsperson, it is imperative to implement pre-event and post-event sports massage into your training program and preparation.
Whether a professional athlete or an amateur training at a high-intensity level, you want to improve your conditioning and enhance your performance. Ideally, you should already include a sports massage as part of your weekly training routine as a preventative measure rather than employing it as injury rehabilitation.
Pre-event Sports Massage
A pre-event sports massage is usually a shorter massage. It can even be on the day of the event or activity. It can be vital in averting injuries and preparing the body for exercise.
Pre-event massage includes the following techniques:
- Boosting blood flow to the muscles
- Increasing the range of motion of the joints to improve or reduce stiffness
- Warming up muscles to prevent injuries
Post Event Sports Massage
Post-event massage is administered immediately after the event or activity. Post-event massage decreases muscle soreness and cramping and promotes a faster return to training after physical activity. A post-event sports massage has the purpose of aiding recovery from the activity. It can flush out any lactic acid buildup, reduce post-exercise soreness, and re-establish range of motion and blood flow to tense, stretched muscles.
An effective post-event massage can helps an individual feel better immediately following physical exertion allowing the person to recover more quickly. Individuals should consider regular sports massages after a workout, sports activity or competition. The aim will be to replenish the musculoskeletal system, prepare you for further events, and prevent injury.
Summary – Reasons you may want to book a regular sports massage:
- Pre-training or workout muscle preparation
- Recovery or assistance after intensive training
- Treat repetitive sprains or strains built up over time in specific soft tissue and muscle areas.
- Reduce inflammation and swelling and prevent further damage
- Therapy for painful injuries
At the Backcare & Acupuncture Clinic in Walsall and Sutton Coldfield our team of expert sports therapists can work with you to create a personalised plan for sports massage therapy in line with your physical goals.