Athletes are being tested more so today than they ever have been in human history. Runners are breaking records left and right, gymnasts are doing jaw-dropping routines previously believed to be impossible, you name it, it’s being done. But this drive to push our bodies to the limits has its tolls—which is where massage therapy can come into play.
Sports massages, including deep tissue massages, can help speed up recovery times, increase flexibility, and much more in athletes. Here’s a rundown on how regular massage therapy can benefit you as an athlete.
1. They Can Reduce Sports-related Injuries
One of the major benefits of massage, especially deep tissue massages, is how they can mitigate the chances of getting sports-related injuries. Athletes who embrace regular massages show fewer instances of injury than those who don’t get massaged regularly.
2. Deep Tissue Massages Cut Recovery Time
Like we hinted at earlier: Massage therapy is a tried-and-true way to curb recovery times in athletes, be them marathon runners or hundred-meter sprinters, and everyone in between. Deep tissue massage, specifically, helps to draw both heat and blood flow into those massaged muscle groups, allowing them to expel excess lactic acid, bettering their ability to heal micro-tears.
3. They Improve Your Mental Well-being
Because of the demands placed by your weekly workouts and travel schedules, you’re far more at risk to suffer from chronic stress and anxiety issues as an athlete than other, less impassioned people. Thankfully, massage therapy has been proven to help calm the mind, reducing your levels of stress and anxiety along the way.
4. Massages Help You Stay Limber
While both pre- and post-workout stretching is highly recommended for athletes to do, regardless of their discipline, sometimes holding those poses just isn’t enough. Massage therapy has been proven to not only increase flexibility in athletes, but it also helps with any strain-related injuries or physical constraints you might have.
5. They Fight Inflammation and Chronic Pain
One of the benefits of deep tissue massage that goes beyond just athletes is its ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body. From halting knee pain to relaxing otherwise stiff, painful backs, sports massages are a great tool to help you deal with the inflammation spurred by your sport of choice. And to boot, by lessening instances of inflammation in the body, many athletes report great improvements with chronic pain points.
The Bottom Line: Sports Massages are a Key to an Athlete Staying on Top of His or Her Field
If it isn’t clear by now: Sports massages can better athletes in a multitude of ways. From increasing their flexibility to improving their mental-wellbeing, regular deep tissue massage sessions are priceless to athletes, no matter what they specialize in.
So, want to make sure you’re competing in tip-top condition? Consider letting one of our massage therapist drive-out the stress, knots, and worries from your tested muscles.
Sunrinity Health offers massage therapy, specifically geared toward athletes and active
demographics. Want to learn more about our services and set up an appointment? Click here for more details.
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