Millions of people around the world lead a healthy lifestyle, which means they exercise and engage in some kind of regular physical activity. This means an active body that needs good nourishment, both in terms of nutrition and relieving stress. For relieving stress, it is important to make good use of massages.
Benefits of Massage for Non-Athletes
Massage therapy does not just benefit sportspeople, but also those individuals who engage in any athletic activity. Massage is a recommended and essential part of any sportsman’s routine and should be actively pursued no matter how busy the schedule gets. One key aspect of sports massage therapy is its ability to target muscle-tendon junctions. Athletes to receive massage before and after their routine regimen also do not experience soreness associated with their exercise. Massage therapy helps relieve the joints and muscles, which tend to get overworked during exercise sessions.
Benefits of Massage for Athletes
An individual with an athletic bent or a professional athlete at any level can benefit a lot by making massage a part of their regular routine. Massage therapy increases flexibility, which is essential for an athlete to maintain optimal performance. No matter what sport the individual engages in, he or she will definitely have an advantage over others. Muscle spasms often occur without warning, massage therapy helps ease these spasms and allow the body to regain its original healthy state without much effort.
Massage therapy also helps ease circulation, thus helping blood flow in the body, which eases nourishment. Massage also acts as a mechanical cleanser of the body and stimulates lymph circulation. This quickens waste and toxic elimination from the body, keeping it clean and ready for available nutrition and rigor. Pre-event massage enhances performance as it puts the body’s muscle in a state of increased activity with reduced stress. Along with that it increases the body’s ability to sustain injuries.
More Benefits for Athletes
The respiratory system also stands to gain from massages. It breaks up mucus and other respiratory discharge in the lungs and allows the body to absorb oxygen and nutritional materials in order to become stronger and more self-reliant.
Massage therapy helps athletes monitor their muscle tone and promotes relaxation. It reduces muscle hyper toxicity and increases range of motion. It also helps induce and improve soft tissue function. It reduces muscle stiffness and alleviates the body’s ability to sustain long periods of practice and physical activity. It improves exercise performance and enhances athletic performance.
As an athlete or physically active person, it is important to focus on two key issues – prevention and maintenance. The only routine activity that helps both these facets is massage therapy. Maintaining the body is important as the therapist helps ease blood flow and flexibility in connective tissue. In the event of an injury, rehabilitation massage is effective in reducing discomfort and speeding the healing process. It helps the body be more accepting of corrective measures. Thus massage therapy helps improve the over-all well being of the athletic individual.
