Massage is an ancient form of therapy, which can help to relieve tension, ease pain and improve strength. If you regularly exercise, you might be considering a visit to a sports massage therapist. A sports massage is an excellent treatment to help those sore muscles. Here’s how it could help you.
The Benefits Of Visiting A Sports Massage Therapist
Sports massage is beneficial for athletes and non-athletes alike. As well as helping people to improve at their sport, it also assists with general strength and mobility. Here are some of the main benefits:
1. Increased Blood Circulation
Sports massage increases your blood flow through the friction created during the massage. The improved blood flow has a myriad of benefits, including delivering oxygen and nutrients to tired muscles – strengthening and healing them. This helps to improve your performance the next time you exercise.
2. Speedy Removal Of Toxins
You’ll know that when you exercise, toxins and waste products build up in your muscles. If your body can’t flush these out quickly enough, it can result in pain in your muscles, including delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Sports massage – by increasing blood and lymphatic circulation – encourages removal of these toxins, making it the perfect post-exercise recovery tool.
3. Loosens Tense Muscles
When we exercise, our muscles are damaged. The healing process can tighten them, so even though they are stronger, the shortened muscles are more susceptible to injury. A sports massage therapist will ease these tight muscles, stretching them and improving your flexibility. More flexible muscles means that you have a lower likelihood of obtaining an injury such as a muscle strain.
4. Shorter Recovery Time
For serious athletes in particular, the recovery time can be frustrating. Everyone needs recovery time after a large exertion – for example, a race or a competition – but sports massage can shorten the time needed. Likewise, if you have suffered an injury, a sports massage will aid your recovery so you can return to exercise more quickly.
5. Mental Health Benefits
Any kind of massage – including sports massage – stimulates the production of endorphins, which help to regulate your mood, reduce stress and assist with relaxation. Sports wise, this can help by improving your mental focus, but the benefits stretch beyond just exercise. Sports massage can help you to manage conditions such as anxiety and depression, and alleviate tension headaches. This may also have the result of improving your sleep quality, and encouraging mindfulness.
Booking An Appointment With A Sports Massage Therapist
Sports massage can help whether you exercise regularly or not. Whether your goal is to relieve tension in muscles, enhance performance in a competition, heal faster after an injury or prevent them altogether, sports massage is for you. Massages are excellent for improving your general health and wellbeing.
At Northwich Foot Clinic, we have a range of massage services available, including sports massage. You can easily book your appointment through our online booking system.
