Sunday, September 29, 2013

Massage Therapy - Benefits and Considerations For an Athlete


Most of us will probably believe that a massage is a luxury reserved only for special times in our lives like birthdays or anniversaries. As a matter of fact, it is not only an indulgence but also a way of keeping our mind and body healthy. There are a lot of reasons people get a massage. It can either be for medical reasons to alleviate pain or just simply to be more relaxed and rejuvenated. Massage therapies like the hot stone massage therapy offers many therapeutic effects. It also gives your body an instant boost of energy.

Massage therapies is a soothing practice for the mind, body and soul that is why it is able to relieve the stress. It also has physical conditioning effects that are a great help for a professional athlete. For instance, after doing a tough workout in the gym, a massage can release the spasms which slow down blood flow. This will usually cause the inflammation, pain and dysfunction. With a massage, it will slowly improve blood circulation by allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients to vital organs and tissues. Over straining is prevented by the relaxation of the tension and sedation of the nervous system allowing muscles to work more effectively.

A massage can also reduce the recovery time needed for strenuous workouts by helping in the elimination of toxins. By improving blood circulation and increasing intake of water, these toxins can be cleared out of the body. This will maximize blood flow improving the general nutrition of the muscles for optimal performance.

Energy and vitality is also increased through a massage. It can facilitate the muscle-building response of the body at the same time improving the range of flexibility and motion. Muscles are elongated and its proficiency is increased.

Although there are many benefits you can acquire physically from a massage therapy, you have to keep in mind some of these important points.

o Remember that you will not acquire the full benefits of a massage therapy if you only have one session. It will take several treatment sessions before you achieve the expected physical effects such as releasing spasms and tightness.

o You may want to focus on specific areas because of the demand it receives but do not forget this is a holistic approach. Do not overlook other parts of your body to avoid future pains and aches.

o It is also better to ask advice from your doctor and your therapist. It is much better to have a collaborative treatment plan with professionals so you will be sure of the proper treatment plan.

o Do not hesitate to speak up when you feel uncomfortable or pain in the massage therapy session. For instance, if the rock used in the hot stone therapy is too warm, inform your masseuse immediately.

After keeping in mind all these considerations and benefits, it is now time to book your first massage session. Check the credentials of the massage therapist to make sure you have quality bodywork. In your first visit, it is important that massage therapist take a history of your specific problem areas and goals. Then, together with your doctor and therapist, you can now set the best schedule to maximize your goals.

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