Sports massage, or manual therapy, is a highly effective therapeutic treatment that is mostly used by physical therapists athletes trainers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to treat muscular impingement and stiffness. It involves gentle manipulation and kneading of muscles, easing of joints and manipulation of the soft tissues. This is a particular kind of massage that helps restore mobility, flexibility, and alignment. It is often part of an overall wellness program and is usually a part of medical sports medicine. However, it can be used as an individual therapy for self-help.

Sports massage should cover at the very least five major points in order to be effective that include the back, shoulder neck, shoulder blade and neck forearm, hip forearm and hip. This soft tissue region is highly sensitive and can be easily damaged if not prolongedly stimulated. If not done correctly, muscles stiffness and spasms could occur. Effleurage or gliding movements of the hands that include palm to palm and fingertips to fingertips are effective in sports massage. Also recommended are shiatsu techniques. Shiatsu utilizes pressure from the fingers to penetrate deeply into the connective tissues and muscles to provide the stimulation of collagen and cellular growth.

To increase blood flow to all parts of the body, massage techniques should utilize multiple strokes, and be performed with regular pressure. Effleurage, or gliding fingertips, should be performed over the entire body to maximize the benefits. Percussive exercises, such as those done with a roller or a ball placed on the shoulders of a therapist are beneficial in improving posture. The gentle squeezing and effleurage soft tissues and the direction of the movement encourage blood flow. This can help increase flexibility in the spine.

Different sports massage techniques are employed in accordance with the sport. The treatment for sports massage differs if you are treating muscles or tissues that are injured. Your therapist will be able to guide you on the best type of treatment is appropriate for your specific needs in sport. Some massage techniques are only suitable for certain sports, while others can be utilized by all athletes.

The primary objective of sports massage is to ease discomfort by applying pressure and applying long strokes on certain areas. It is designed to increase blood circulation, reduce stiffness, and restore normal range of motion, especially in the neck, shoulders and elbows as well as the knees, hips the knees and hips. One of the major advantages is the stimulation of lymphatic drainage, which removes waste products from the body and improves circulation. This improves the function and health of the immune system.

Sports massage also reduces discomfort and increases range of motion by using targeted pressure and friction over injured areas. These improve blood and tissue elasticity, which allows fluid to move without restriction. Injuries are reduced because the stretching of tissues and reduced inflammation reduces the threshold for pain.

Sports massage can bring a range of therapeutic benefits, like joint flexibility, improved muscle strength and the relaxation of sore and stretched muscles. It also has a physiological effect. After and during a session, your body produces natural chemicals that help in healing. The effects of sports massage can be physical effects, such as increased blood flow, less stiffness, and an increase in lymphatic drainage.

Although sports massage is used to treat a variety conditions and conditions, the primary purpose is to ease pain. It reduces inflammation and swelling by stretching muscles that are tight. It relieves muscles that are stiff and sore which decreases the need for medication and other treatments that do not help in healing. It improves tissue flexibility which aids in faster healing and rehabilitation after an injury. Also, it increases the production of natural healing compounds, such as collagen and elastin. These are all vital physiological effects of a therapeutic massage.