Sports Massage Tulsa are similar to other forms of massage but has a more focused approach to movement and tissue manipulation. It is a great way to prevent and treat injuries and boost performance.

Adding a regular sports massage to your training regime can help you achieve your fitness goals quicker, more effectively, and with less pain! The physiological effects of sports massage include:

Sports massage prepares the body for exercise, increases flexibility, and reduces injury. It incorporates a range of techniques including compression, joint mobilization, active and passive stretching, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. It is generally faster paced than traditional deep tissue massage and uses approaches that are specific to the athlete’s or exerciser’s sport or activity. It is not uncommon for athletes to receive regular sports massage to help prevent injuries and maintain a high level of fitness.

The pre-event phase of sports massage is efficient in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It also helps to warm up the muscles, which decreases the risk of injuries such as sprains and strains. It increases muscle movement and flexibility, which in turn reduces the time it takes to recover from exercise. It improves the flow of oxygen to the muscles and facilitates the removal of waste products such as lactic acid. It also increases tissue elasticity by incorporating Petrissage techniques such as wringing and rolling.

It also helps to promote blood circulation, which in turn helps the muscles and other soft tissues of the body to relax. It also improves the condition of the muscle and other soft tissues by releasing toxins, increasing flexibility and speeding up recovery from physical exertion.

In addition to all of this, it is good for preventing injuries, promoting relaxation, and decreasing stress. This type of massage can also be beneficial for those who are just starting a new exercise program and who don’t necessarily play “sports”.

The pre-event sports massage also involves the use of effleurage, which is similar to Swedish massage. It is a light, flowing massage that uses the hands to move the soft tissue over its surface. It also involves the kneading and compression of the muscle to stretch it. This technique also includes hacking, which is a form of percussion massage. It involves using the edge of the hand’s palm to briskly strike the soft tissue, which helps to stimulate and soften it. It also increases the flow of lymph fluid, which helps to eliminate waste and promotes better cell nutrition.

Post-event

The post-event phase of sports massage is used to reduce muscle soreness and increase recovery times after exercise. It is often given immediately after an event or competition and focuses on the muscles that were most stressed during the activity. The massage helps to flush out lactic acid from the muscles, reduces inflammation, and encourages circulation. It also can prevent the onset of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This type of massage is usually done within 72 hours after an event and uses techniques like effleurage, petrissage, friction, broadening compression, vibration, and assisted stretching.

Before an event, sports massage can be useful in increasing the flexibility of joints and decreasing the tightness of muscles. The massage can also help to prepare the body mentally by reducing stress. It can also help to identify and eliminate pain trigger points. This type of massage can be especially helpful for athletes who want to avoid injuries.

Athletes who compete in a marathon, triathlon, or other endurance event are likely to experience soreness and stiffness afterwards. These athletes put a lot of effort into their training and work hard to push themselves to the limit during their event. They produce high levels of lactic acid and other waste products that can cause fatigue, soreness, and inflammation. Post-event massage is an excellent way to reduce these toxins and speed up the recovery process.

Massage has been shown to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body relax. This is especially important for athletes who are stressed and anxious before an event. Massage can help to alleviate these feelings, allowing them to perform better during their event.

During a pre-event massage, the therapist will use effleurage to relax the athlete’s muscles. They will also use other techniques to prepare the muscles for their event, such as friction and tapotement. They may also use vibration, which involves rapid back-and-forth movements with the fingertips, side, or heel of the hand to loosen up muscles. A pre-event massage should be performed at least four hours before the event. This will ensure that the athlete is ready to compete without the risk of injury.

Post-injury

Whether you are a professional athlete looking to increase performance and reach your next goal, recovering from injury or just enjoy gentle jogging to keep fit, sports massage is beneficial for anyone. It can be used during preparation, training, competition and recovery and the focus will vary for each phase.

It can help increase range of motion and flexibility, especially if used prior to a competition or exercise. It can also relax overly tense muscles and provide additional flexibility, which can improve an athlete’s performance by reducing their risk of injury. It can also be used after exercise or a competition to reduce the time it takes for muscle soreness and stiffness to subside.

Many common sports injuries can be prevented with regular massage treatment. This is particularly true if the problem is identified and addressed early, before it develops into a serious injury.

For example, running places significant strain on the legs and it’s not uncommon for runners to experience iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) or patellofemoral syndrome (PFPS). Both of these conditions can be caused by repetitive movements leading to micro-tears in the muscles. Sports massage can help to release these tensions and increase the flow of blood into the area, thereby promoting healing and reducing soreness.

It can also be useful in the prevention of rotator cuff injury, which is often seen in swimmers, tennis players and golfers. The condition is caused by tight muscles in the rotator cuff, causing the tendons to become inflamed and stiff. A sports massage can help to release these tense muscles and improve flexibility, which will reduce the tension in the tendons and decrease the likelihood of injury.

Another condition that can benefit from early intervention is plantar fasciitis, which is a painful condition affecting the feet. Massage has been shown to break up scar tissue and increase the circulation of blood into the foot and heel, which can help reduce the pain associated with this condition. It can also help to reduce swelling and edema. Massage can also help to relieve the build-up of toxins in the muscle tissue, which can cause inflammation and lead to discomfort and soreness.

Rehabilitative

This form of massage is efficient in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which occurs during or after exercise. Muscle soreness is caused by metabolic insufficiency, which means that the blood supply can’t meet the body’s demand for oxygen. The body has to use glycolysis instead, which produces lactic acid. These waste products accumulate within the muscles, causing pain and stiffness. Sports massage helps to break up these toxins and remove them from the muscles, making the soreness less severe and speeding up recovery time.

Regularly scheduled sports massages can help athletes achieve optimum performance and reduce injury risk. These massages focus on specific areas of the body that are used during a training programme. They can also be tailored to the needs of each individual athlete. For example, some athletes will need a more intense sports massage before a major event while others may need a lighter treatment that focuses on the softer tissues.

Sports massages also improve flexibility and enhance range of motion, which is vital for athletic performance. They also help to break down adhesions, which are bands of tissue that bind together and prevent movement. Adhesions are usually a result of injury or repetitive stress, and can cause pain and inflammation. Sports massages can help to release these adhesions, thereby improving the body’s range of motion and reducing pain.

Another physiological effect of sports massage is increased lymphatic drainage. This is because kneading, which involves lifting and squeezing the tissues, stimulates the underling capillaries and veins. This action pumps the blood through the vessels, removing waste products and bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the area. It also helps to reduce venous edema, which is fluid build-up in the leg muscles and can be a sign of injury.

Whether you are an amateur or a professional athlete, you can benefit from sports massage. It is especially useful for those who participate in repetitive physical activity. In addition, it can improve the quality of your training by reducing muscle soreness and increasing recovery time. The benefits of sports massage can be life-changing for anyone who is interested in a healthier lifestyle and achieving optimal performance.