Benefits of Incorporating Massage During Athletic Training
Massage is beneficial for athletes, whether these athletes are elite competitors or those who exercise for recreational purposes. It can be used both pre, or post-performance, during training, or for rehabilitation. There are some specific benefits that come from incorporating massage during athletic training.
Sports massage is a systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body that focuses on muscles relevant to a particular sport; many different techniques are used in sports massage. Examples of some of these techniques include Swedish-style massage, effleurage and petrissage (stroking and kneading), compression, friction, stretching, and trigger points – and more. Each of these movements and techniques is used with the goal of helping the athlete’s body achieve maximum performance, physical conditioning, and faster recovery, as well as decreasing the chance of injury or pain.
Massage During Athletic Training Benefits
Reported benefits – both psychological and physiological – of incorporating massage during athletic training:
- 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
Other possible benefits:
- Increased blood flow
- Increased elimination of exercise waste products (lactic acid)
- Decreased chance of injury
- Decreased recovery time between workouts
What the Research Says
Research about athletic recovery shows that subjects felt less fatigued and recovered quicker after receiving a sports massage. Decreased anxiety, improved mood, better sleep, and enhanced feelings of well-being were also reported.
Try an Urban Oasis Thai Massage
Thai massage combines acupressure, yoga, and massage to create a truly holistic massage experience. This service is performed clothed. It is recommended to either wear loose, comfortable clothes or be properly draped to allow movement. Schedule a 75-minute session for $130 or a 90-minute session for $156.
Here at Urban Oasis Nashville, we offer massage therapies created to enhance your athletic training. We also use high-quality products that have been thoroughly researched and chosen for their inherent benefits to our clients. If you have any questions concerning incorporating massage during your athletic training and which techniques would be most beneficial, contact us! We can help to create a customized therapy that will meet all your needs.
