How Can Massage Therapy Help With Sports Injuries?

Massage therapy is one of the most effective forms of injury rehabilitation. It is known for speeding up the healing process and preventing injury that happens repetitively. Massage therapy treatments not only reduce the risk of soft tissue injury but also reduce the recovery time. This in turn helps you maintain flexibility and optimal range of motion.

If you are not a regular athlete and workout only on weekends or holidays, the. Regular massage therapy treatment helps to boost the body's healing process. It allows the body to break down adhesion and scar tissues.  Massage also helps in the reinforcement of blood flow for improved circulation. This brings cell nutrition and oxygen to those muscle cells helping them to revitalize and renew themselves.

It can be dangerous if you don’t allow your body to fully heal and recover. It can affect your participation in the next exercise session or sports event. This also means that the chances of sustaining injuries will be higher.

How does it help?

1. Improved Blood Circulation: The most valuable fitness-related benefit is the improvement in blood flow. Massage therapy is accompanied by an increased interchange of positive substances between the blood and the tissue cells. This results in increased tissue metabolism. Massage therapy also maximizes the supply of nutrients and oxygen. This is also credited to the increased blood flow which helps in building the body itself. Massage therapy also promotes general nutrition of muscles and helps in revitalizing them.
2. Improved Range of Motion: Massage helps in bringing the power and efficiency back. An athlete's body needs to train efficiently. This is hence done by massage which helps in increasing your flexibility. Flexibility is very important as it improves your range of motion. According to the Glebe Massage Therapy clinic, it nurtures your reaction time to certain things which can be beneficial as a sportsperson. 
3. Shortens Recovery Time: You need to get back in action as soon as you complete a training session. This means that you need to recover fast to enhance your capabilities even more. Waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid usually buildup in muscles after the workout. Increased circulation of blood to these muscles helps in eliminating toxic debris and shortens recovery time.
4. Preventing Injuries: Massage helps in preventing adhesions which are said to promote injuries while playing. According to researchers of Physiotherapy In Orleans, massage is the best preventive measure. It helps in stretching connective tissues so that wear and tear can be avoided. Massage helps in the excretion of certain fluids such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and Sulfur. These fluids are necessary for the repairing of tissues.

Types Of Massage That Can Help

1. Swedish Massage: One of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire muscles of the body. This is done by rubbing the muscles with long strokes in the direction of blood that is returning to the heart. Swedish massage therapy is also intended to go beyond relaxation. It is therefore exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood. It also decreases muscle toxins, helps in improving circulation and flexibility while easing out tension. 
2. Trigger Point Therapy: A trigger point is an area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. Trigger point massage therapy thus is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain. It is done through cycles of isolated pressure and releases therapy. In trigger point therapy, the athlete actively participates through deep breathing. This helps in identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.
3. Deep Tissue Massage: This therapy is somewhat similar to Swedish massage. But as you dive in, deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus of deep massage therapy is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue. This includes tendons and the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones, and joints.

Final Thoughts

Playing sports is fun, but it may lead to injuries that might be troublesome if not attended in time. By opting for a proper massage therapy routine, you can tackle most of them and get back on the field in no time. But if you have any injury that has been causing pain for quite some time now, we suggest consulting with a medical expert immediately for better insights and guidance.