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Sports massage is a generic term for a specific type of massage using the easy manipulation of soft tissue in the hands to help a man or woman engaged in normal daily physical activity. Soft tissue consists of muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, bursae and fascia (an arrangement of fascia which lines and envelopes another soft tissue) and is not very hard or brittle. The area to be treated may vary from the skin into the tendons and all the way around the bone. Thus, the target area of sports massage is broad and covers a lot of territory.

The history of sports massage is unclear. However, the origin of such a treatment does not necessarily have anything to do with the sport of choice. A cursory look at the history of sports massage will reveal that it really stems from two different areas of medicine. One is the field of physical therapy, which seeks to encourage healing through mechanical pressure that’s applied to the body in response to an injury or disease. The other is an area of medicine known as occupational therapy, which works with physically challenged individuals such as those with disabilities.

The origin of the therapeutic intervention is equally disputed and controversial in the modern history of sports massage. Proponents point out that professional athletes engaged in Olympic games are actually undergoing regular massage to enhance their performance. The athletes use it to alleviate pain and increase flexibility. On the other hand, those who cast doubt on the efficacy of sport massage point out that the athletes need to get these treatments so as to keep in peak shape during the years of their careers.

Sports massage has the additional benefit of encouraging recovery from athletic injuries. When muscles are injured, they become stiff and tight. But when they are stimulated with particular pressure, they will start to relax. As a result, it becomes easier for the athlete to heal from an injury. It also allows injured individuals to recover faster because the pain related to an injury is reduced.

In reality, research shows that recovery time from several injuries is significantly reduced when massage therapy is given to an individual. Sports massage can be used in conjunction with other types of therapies so as to speed up the healing process. It helps the muscles to relax and restore the body’s ability to repair itself. Therefore, individuals who suffer with torn ligaments or severe injuries are highly advised to get massage therapy as soon as possible after an injury.

There are some different techniques that athletes can get during their treatment. The most popular is manual lymph drainage, which entails a massage therapist working with both the upper and lower body to release toxins and enhance the lymphatic system. Another popular technique is effleurage that uses the hands to stroke and softly stroke the muscles. Sports massage therapists can also use hot compresses on injured areas.

However, it is not unusual to see Olympic-style therapists using a more advanced system of techniques. These kinds of techniques incorporate a more intense effleurage technique where the palms will employ continuous compression to a customer’s muscles. This treatment has been shown to significantly reduce pain and soreness. Some Olympic-style therapists also use direct effleurage methods that involve applying gliding, tapping or rubbing movements to the muscles. These kinds of techniques are less invasive and permit the athlete to fully recover sooner.

Sports massage is beneficial for injury prevention and the recovery procedure. An athlete who has undergone treatment from a massage therapist has reported increased energy and a greater level of overall well-being. With continued therapy, the athlete can expect to increase performance and reduce the possibility of sustaining an injury or strain.