The Practice of using touch as healing method was widely used in ancient civilizations. Massage is a natural healing method that helps to relive pain, heal injuries, improve recovery between training and competition, restore energy, reduce stress and anxiety, help relaxation and increase our general well-being.
With spring just around the corner many of us are half-way through our training programmes or just about to undertake a fitness programme that is going to make you stronger, fitter, leaner and generally healthier. However, we must remember that taking part in physical activity, exercise and sports may lead to greater risk of injury or painful conditions unless we look after ourselves. Therefore, it does not really matter whether you are an absolute beginner or advance sportsman, you need make sure that you look after yourself at all times, conducting proper warm-ups before we start, proper cool downs and stretches post-event, using the appropriate equipment we need to perform, and utilising massage techniques to help recover between sessions.
Some days during training you may feel everything is running smoothly and working well and other days you may feel some parts of your body you didn’t realise existed start to niggle and cause you grief or concern. Sometimes your body will need a little extra boost or some TLC, and sometimes it might cry for help after multiple hard training sessions! Whatever your body needs massage or sports massage is a perfect aid to help you improve your performance and recovery, reduce pain and muscle tightness, and help to eliminate toxins and reduce fatigue.
A good starting point for maintenance is having preventative sports massage regularly. When connective and muscle tissue are massaged and manipulated regularly there is less tension put through the muscle and joints which decreases the chance of injury as well as allowing us to move better, have better mobility, flexibility and motion. Massage stimulates circulation, minimising fascial adhesions and stimulates growth and repair.
Pre-event massage stimulates blood flow and sends vital nutrients to the muscles via increased circulation. This results in better performance during activity and reduced risk of injury. It also stretches, warms and prepares the muscles for activity and optimum performance. Pre- event massage is a great tool to help you physically and mentally prepare for performance.
To summarise different types massage can help you in a multitude of different ways from mental relaxation through to physical preparation and rehabilitation, you can help yourself find your winning way. Thanks for reading and Stay strong! 🙂
Dasha
