Can a sports massage therapist help to assess your needs? For example, runners and dancers will feel stress in their legs, swimmers in their upper body, and tennis players in their arms. These areas are more likely to be tight, lose flexibility, develop trigger points and suffer a sports-related injury.
Combined positioning and specific finger or thumb pressure on the muscle and myofascial tissue trigger points can reduce the hypersensitivity, muscle spasms, and referred pain patterns that characterize the point.
Athletes and people who exercise regularly are susceptible to inflamed muscles and tendons. You may wonder why. They are fit, and surely regular exercise would make their bodies stronger. You would be right in thinking that overuse without a proper warm-up or warm-down and not following safety guidelines will likely weaken the muscles you are trying so hard to strengthen.
So, what sports injuries can inhibit or reduce your performance? This all depends on your chosen sport. Shoulder muscles are torn and dislocated in contact sports such as rugby. Any sport done to excess can also damage the shoulders, such as swimming. Joints are also prone to injury when overused and without an adequate warm-up. This can make all the difference to your overall performance and will ensure that your chosen sport will be more pleasurable and painless.
Sports injuries
Coping with and avoiding damage to your body
Sport strengthens muscles, increases stamina, improves sleep patterns, and helps control obesity. However, sports and exercise are only part of good health and contribute to fitness only when taken regularly with a healthy lifestyle. Practising unwisely or excessively in sports and other physical activities can result in injury.
Avoiding sports injuries
What do the following sports have in common: discus, golf and weight lifting?
They are sports where the same movements are used to throw, swing, and lift. Aggressive and continual use of these physical movements can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI)…the most common sports injury for any athlete. Yes, these movements are necessary for these particular sports and many others, but there is a way of avoiding the pain that will undoubtedly occur if you are not mindful.
Joint and muscle strain can stop you in your tracks! Trigger points in the muscle are on hand to offer advice and help with the recovery process, but essentially, it is up to you to recognize when pain or feelings you have never felt before have suddenly appeared. Ask yourself questions: How can I improve my diet? Am I warming up enough? Am I exercising in excess? If you think about these questions and answer them honestly, you will admit to yourself that you could be doing a lot more to limit the pain that you feel.
Don’t Ignore And Carry On!
Patience is a key factor here. The longer you neglect an injury or ignore the signs, such as muscle strains, back pain, joint pain, and stiffness, the longer it will take you to recover and do the sport you have come to love. You are an athlete and likely push yourself to the limit; know your limits and your body. Your pain is a sign that you need to respond to its needs.
Sports massage will help, and Massaggi provides the best sports massage in London to bring you back to peak fitness. Prevention, of course, is better than cure…warm up, warm down, eat nutritious meals, and practice safe sports.
Add regular sports massage therapy to your list.
Regular muscle manipulation in a relaxed and comfortable environment can improve performance and longevity in your chosen sport. The massage therapist may recommend seeking medical attention from one of their associates for a more specific type of injury. We may refer you to a doctor or a physiotherapist to ascertain the kind of sports injury you have first. Your well-being is important; once you have the proper information, massage can be your next step.
What can a sports massage therapist do that no other massage therapist can do? The sports massage therapist can help in 3 important and invaluable stages.
- RESTORE
- REHABILITATE
- PREVENT
Sports massage helps to prevent injuries
Never start playing a sport suddenly; instead, go for regular, progressive training that gradually increases the strength and flexibility of your joints and muscles. This includes always allowing time for an adequate warm-up period before each sport session. Learn to practice good technique so that you avoid unnecessary strain.
A well-balanced diet plus adequate fluid replacement during and after exercise will help, as will suitable clothing, especially footwear. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before playing any sports. Use appropriate protective clothing, such as a helmet, for cycling and horse riding.
Ask your doctor before taking a new sport or gradually increasing your exercise. Regular health checks will also help identify problems before they become serious.
What the sports practitioner recommend
Sports therapy has long been recognized as a valuable tool for preventing and treating sports injuries. Many Olympic and international sports and athletics teams use trained remedial sports massage therapists to treat muscles and joints before and after events. The result is relaxed muscles, significantly reduced pain, and minimal fatigue and stress. Why beat yourself up when Massaggi can keep you fighting fit?
Sports therapists recommend Arnica for aching muscles after overexertion in sports, bruises, and shock. Pulled tendons and sprains should first be treated with Arnica and then with Rhus Tox or Ruta four times a day for a week.
Our well-trained and experienced sports massage therapist can assess your needs and apply the proper treatment. Request an assessment today. Why wait?
