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Sports massage is a generic term for a particular type of massage using the simple manipulation of soft tissue in the hands to help a man or woman engaged in regular daily physical activity. Soft tissue consists of muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, bursae and fascia (an arrangement of fascia that lines and envelopes the other soft tissue) and isn’t very hard or brittle. The area to be treated can range from the skin to the tendons and all the way up to the bone. Thus, the target area of sports massage is broad and covers a good deal of territory.

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

The origin of this therapeutic intervention is equally contested and controversial in the modern history of sports massage. Proponents point out that professional athletes engaged in Olympic games are in fact undergoing regular massage to boost their performance. The athletes use it to alleviate pain and increase flexibility. On the flip side, those who cast doubt on the efficacy of sport massage point out that the athletes will need to get these treatments in order to keep in peak shape during the years of their careers.

Sports massage has the further 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 begin to relax. As a result, it becomes much easier for the athlete to heal from an injury. Additionally, it 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 treatment is given to an individual. Sports massage can be used together with different types of therapies so as to speed up the healing process. It allows 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 receive massage therapy as soon as possible after an injury.

There are some different methods that athletes can receive during their therapy. The most popular is manual lymph drainage, which involves a massage therapist working with both the upper and lower body to release toxins and improve the lymphatic system. Another popular technique is effleurage which uses the hands to stroke and gently stroke the muscles. Sports massage therapists may also use hot compresses on injured areas.

However, it’s not uncommon to see Olympic-style therapists with a more advanced system of techniques. These types of techniques include a more extreme effleurage technique where the palms will employ continuous compression to a customer’s muscles. This treatment was proven to significantly reduce pain and soreness. Some Olympic-style therapists also use direct effleurage techniques that involve applying gliding, tapping or rubbing movements to the muscles. These types of techniques are less invasive and allow the athlete to fully recover sooner.

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