Why Does Sports Massage Help Prevent Injury: Insights from New Malden
In the world of physical activity, the risk of injury is a constant concern for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals engaged in regular exercise. Understanding the mechanisms behind injuries and the methods to prevent them is pivotal in maintaining optimal physical well-being. Sports massage New Malden emerges as a valuable tool in this endeavor, offering targeted techniques that not only aid in healing but also contribute to injury prevention.
How Does Injury Happen?
Injuries often occur due to a combination of factors, including repetitive movements, muscle imbalances, poor biomechanics, and overexertion. When muscles are strained beyond their capacity or subjected to repetitive stress, they can develop microtears and inflammation. These injuries, if left unaddressed, can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and even more severe conditions.
The Science Behind How Sports Massage Helps Heal Injury
Sports massage New Malden plays a significant role in the injury healing process by addressing multiple aspects:
- Increased Blood Flow: Sports massage improves blood circulation to the injured area, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen. This enhances the body’s natural healing response, promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Injured muscles often develop scar tissue as part of the healing process. Sports massage helps break down this scar tissue, preventing it from causing stiffness and limiting range of motion.
- Muscle Relaxation: Muscle tension and spasms can hinder the healing process. Sports massage relaxes muscles, reducing tension and allowing the injured area to heal more effectively.
- Improved Range of Motion: As muscles heal, they can become tight and limit joint mobility. Sports massage helps maintain or restore flexibility, preventing post-injury stiffness.
Which Age Groups and Background Individuals Can Take Sports Massage?
Sports massage is not limited by age or background. Athletes looking to enhance performance, individuals recovering from injuries, and even those with sedentary lifestyles can benefit. From teenagers engaged in sports to seniors seeking to maintain mobility, sports massage is adaptable to various needs.
Who Should Not Take Sports Massage?
While sports massage is generally safe for most individuals, there are a few cases where caution should be exercised. Individuals with certain medical conditions such as blood clotting disorders, open wounds, or severe inflammation should consult a medical professional before seeking sports massage New Malden. Pregnant individuals should also consult their healthcare provider before undergoing sports massage.
Precautions to Take While Getting Sports Massage
To ensure a safe and effective sports massage experience, consider the following precautions:
- Communication: Communicate openly with your sports massage therapist about your injury, pain levels, and any concerns you may have. This helps them tailor the massage session to your needs.
- Hydration: Drink water before and after the massage to help flush out toxins released during the session.
- Post-Massage Care: After the massage, take it easy and avoid intense physical activities for a day or two. Allow your body to recover fully from the session.
Sports massage New Malden stands as a powerful tool in injury prevention and healing. From enhancing blood flow and breaking down scar tissue to improving muscle relaxation and range of motion, sports massage offers a comprehensive approach to injury prevention. While it’s suitable for a wide range of individuals, certain precautions should be taken to ensure a safe and effective massage experience. Consulting with professionals and adhering to recommended guidelines can ensure that the benefits of sports massage are harnessed to their fullest potential.
Sport Massage Techniques
Tapotement (Tapping) Technique
Tapotement is a French word which means ‘Tapping’. It includes movements such as hand chopping, cupping and tapping. “Tapotement is a specific technique used in Swedish massage. It is a rhythmic percussion, most frequently administered with the edge of the hand, a cupped hand or the tips of the fingers.” (Source: Wikipedia)
Benefits of the Tapping (Tapotement) Technique:
- Stimulating nerve endings
- Aids in decongestion
- Increase blood flow
- Toning atrophied muscles
- Pain relief
Effleurage Technique (to skim)
Effleurage is a technique using a repeated circular stroking movement made with the palm of the hand. Physio.co.uk defines it as “a massage technique in which long, light strokes are used over areas of the body. The most common areas of the body for effleurage are the arm, back, thigh and calf.
Benefits of the Effleurage Technique:
- It can stimulate lymphatic drainage
- Stretches the tissues
- Help detect the state of the soft tissue
- It warms, soothes and relaxes the body and mind
- Slow effleurage calms the nervous system
- Fast effleurage stimulates the nervous system
- Reduces tension and muscle tightness
- Relieves tired and achy muscles
Petrissage Technique (to knead)
Petrissage is a technique that involves kneading the soft tissue. The word petrissage comes from the French and refers to ‘kneading’. The technique may include stretching, squeezing, kneading soft tissue.
Wikipedia defines petrissage as: “… massage movements with applied pressure which are deep and compress the underlying muscles. Kneading, wringing, skin rolling and pick-up-and-squeeze are the petrissage movements. They are all performed with the padded palmar surface of the hand, the surface of the finger and also the thumbs.”
Benefits of the Petrissage Technique:
- Soft tissue elasticity
- Muscle waste product removal
- Stimulates the skin
- Promotes vascular response
- Promotes lymphatic response
- Increases portability between tissue interfaces
Friction Technique
According to physio.co.uk “Frictions are a type of massage which applies force across soft tissue structures. Frictions are an effective technique to break up adhesions, help break down scar tissue and realign tissue fibres.”
Physio-pedia defines it as: “… a massage technique used to increase circulation and release areas that are tight; particularly around joints and where there are adhesions within the muscles or tendons. Friction is defined as “an accurately delivered penetrating pressure applied through fingertips.”
Benefits of the Friction Technique:
- Recover from muscle strains
- Break down adhesions
- Break down scar tissue
- Restore flexibility
- Speed up recovery
- Realign new scar tissue
- Stimulates blood flow
- Heal ligament lesions
Pricing
The duration is dependent on injury or issue and should be discussed before booking in.
55 minutes
- Block packages available upon request
45 minutes
- Most popular
- Block packages available upon request
30 minutes
- Block packages available upon request
To find out more please leave us an enquiry and we will be in touch within 24h to discuss further.
Payments to be made upfront
Appointments maybe cancelled or rearranged provided a minimum of 24 hours notice is given otherwise session fee will be charged.