Sports Massage
ADVANCED SPORTS RECOVERY MASSAGE
A highly effective style of massage that treats and prevents common sports injuries.
What is Sports Massage?
Dating back to the famous runner Paavo Nurmi, commonly known as the "Flying Finn, Sports Massage relates to a form of soft tissue manipulation technique dedicated to muscles relevant to a particular sport. Finn was one of the early users of sports massage and Nurmi is said to have used sports massage during the 1924 Olympics in Paris where he won five gold medals.
Various varying movements and techniques fall under the umbrella of sports massage. Examples of these techniques include; Swedish style massage, effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), compression, friction, tapotement (rhythmic striking), vibration, gliding, stretching, percussion, and trigger points. The primary goal of these movements and techniques is to try and assist the athlete's body to achieve top-level performance and physical conditioning while limiting injury and enhancing recovery times.
Is a sports massage for you? If you are someone who stretches their physical limits on a regular basis through movement such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, tennis and other racquet sports, strength training, and aerobics then YES. But aerobic activities aren’t the only things on the list. Everyday activities can also qualify for the need for a massage including mothers with small children, gardeners, and others who use their bodies strenuously in their work.
Benefits of Regular Sports Massage
Several advantages to Sports Massage have been touted based on the experience of athletes. Some are beneficial to the mind (psychological) and some to the body (physiological).
Some of the reported benefits of sports massage include:
- Increased joint range of motion (ROM)
- Increased flexibility
- Increased sense of well-being
- Decreased muscle tension
- Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Better sleep
- Decreased Recovery Time
Our highly skilled therapists have over a decade of experience practicing Sports Massage.
Side Effects
You might experience some tenderness or stiffness for 1 to 2 days after a sports massage. If you have a race or sporting event, we suggest receiving a massage no sooner than 2 days before your event.