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The typical American lifestyle creates stress that is considered a fact of life. However, the long term effects of stress can accumulate and expediate the following:
- Headaches and lower back pain
- Eyestrain and neck pain
- Emotional and physical Burn Out
- Less resistance to colds and infections
- High blood pressure and heart disease
Studies have proven that a massage does help alleviate stress as it also can be used towards a conditioning or preventative maintenance program. Some benefits of therapeutic massage:
- Remove unhealty toxins
- Boost immune system
- Relieve chronic pain
- Improve sleep
- Reduce stress
- Faster recovery from workouts
- Helps improve flexibility
- Combats premature aging
Therapeutic Massage for Sports and Fitness
What Happens When You Exercise?
Better heart and respiratory efficiency Increase in muscle strength and endurance
Greater flexibility Lower body fat and greater lean body mass
Also: Delayed muscle soreness (24-48 hours after exercise)
Trigger points may cause muscle soreness and decreased flexibility
Muscles inability to relax from overtraining
Poor blood flow through tight muscles causing pain
How Does Massage Help?
Overtraining: Helps avoid overtraining by assisting with relaxation and other
physiological effects.
Trouble spots: Everyone has their own unique trouble spots perhaps brought
on by past injuries or other trauma. A massage therapist can pay special
attention to these areas and monitor changes to help keep them in condition.
Recovery: Increases blood flow to assist with removal of waste products and
increase cellular nutrition. Deactivate trigger points and relief from
soreness.
Making the Most of Your Conditioning Massage:
Schedule your massage after your work out or on a rest day for at least 30 minutes
minimum to 2 hour maximum sessions.
Cool down completely prior to your massage. Take a shower,sauna, steam bath or jacuzzi before your massage if possible.
Inform the therapist about your current exercise or sport activity.
Let the massage therapist know about any upcoming competition events
that might affect your session. Inform the therapist of any recent or past injuries or surgery to avoid
further damage.
Give the therapist feedback on painful areas.
First time massages may leave you slightly sore. As tissues become healthier,
you will appreciate a deeper more vigorous massage.
Just like exercise, plan a regular massage schedule into your training. “Regular”
can mean once a week to once a month.
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