What is a Sports Massage Therapist?
A sports massage therapist specializes in the treatment of muscles and tendons that are used during physical activity. Sports massage therapists use various massage techniques to help improve the athlete’s performance and prevent injuries. In case you are an athlete or regularly participate in physical activity, it is essential to have a sports massage therapist on your team!
If you’re looking for a way to improve your athletic performance or prevent injuries, consider working with a sports massage therapist. Sports massage therapists use various techniques to help athletes perform at their best and stay healthy. If you’re not sure if working with a sports massage therapist is right for you, keep reading! In this post, we’ll discuss what sports.
What is Sports Massage Therapy?
Sports massage therapy is also known as athletic massage therapy. It is a form of massage that aims to reduce tension and stress in the soft tissues during exercise and sports. Unlike other types of massage therapy, sports massage therapy is not performed immediately after an activity. It is applied both before and after training.
This helps to reduce stress and improve performance. It is focused on the tissues and muscles within the body, sports and massage therapy are very similar to deep-tissue massage. You can have it done on the whole body or just a part.
What Does A Sports Massage Therapist Do?
A highly skilled professional sports massage therapist helps athletes strengthen their muscles in a range of sports. They can determine which areas of the body are most used in each sport and what massage techniques they should use.
Not only are certified sports massage therapists for an event, but they can also be used to assist athletes after completing a difficult performance or training. Sports massage therapists can work with college athletes, professional athletes, and elementary and high school athletes. They might also work with weekend warriors.
The Benefits Of Sports Massage Therapy
There are many massage options. The body can be affected by intense exercise, athletic games, and official sports. It is important to choose the right massage technique for your active lifestyle. Deep tissue massages, for instance, are used to ease chronic pain and tension. Although this may seem beneficial in general, sports massage therapy is designed to enhance performance, recovery, relaxation, and comfort for athletes who are often or intensely physically active.
#1: Relaxation
Although relaxation may not be what comes to mind when you think about sports massages, it is an extremely important part of maintaining an athlete’s health. If a person needs it, sports massage can be used with a recovery or enhancement program. Sports massage can be beneficial for athletes in the off-season. It reduces tension in muscles that have been over-extended or stressed throughout the season. It is an effective way to reduce physical stress and speed up recovery from injuries for those who train and play hard all year.
#2: Recovery
Every athlete is unique in recovering from an injury or physical strain. Each athlete’s medical history and the sport or activity they are involved in will determine what recovery program they choose. A baseball injury is likely to be treated differently than a gymnast’s. Their messages will be different. You can customize sports massage therapy to meet your specific needs and address any injuries. It can be beneficial for athletic performance to recognize and treat any physical weakness.
#3: Elimination of Toxins
Sports massage therapy can also help with athletic recovery by releasing and removing toxins from muscles. If the muscles are used for long periods, and there is a challenge to the body, lactic acid builds up and can cause toxins to be absorbed into certain tissues. The body can experience painful knots and bind to lactic acid. An athlete’s ability to perform well can be effected quickly and severely by toxic buildup. It can also have a negative impact on other areas of your life. Although lactic acid can cause problems in daily movements and tasks, it is not the muscles and tissues’ only toxin. Sports massage therapy works to loosen and work on the muscle fibers in overworked regions to relieve lactic acids and other painful toxins so the body can quickly remove them.
#4: Better Sleep
Massage therapy can be used to promote and deepen sleep. Physical rehabilitation is incomplete without sleep. This is a problem that is often overlooked. Poor quality sleep and chaotic sleep patterns can severely impact the body’s ability for physical function. If rest is not prioritized and met, any sport or activity will be affected. A good night’s sleep is vital for overall health and physical performance. This is particularly true if you are physically disabled. Massages that focus on a specific lifestyle and activity can relieve pain and help create and maintain healthy sleeping habits.
#5: Performance Enhancement
Regular maintenance massages can be offered to athletes who are not suffering from injuries or difficulties. This will help them improve their athletic performance. Sports massage therapy can help athletes improve their performance by increasing muscle and joint flexibility. The purpose of sports massage therapy is to support the specific areas of the body that are affected by exercise or sport. This assessment and treatment can enhance an athlete’s ability and give them the support they need to achieve their goals.
Massage gives the body the support it needs to function safely and confidently. The muscles surrounding a body’s joints must be fully engaged and strong enough for the body to move safely and effectively. Athletes who are overly stressed or knotted in their muscles will find it difficult to support themselves when they engage in competitive sports or exercise. This can cause muscle damage, increased discomfort, and even injury. A professional sports massage therapist can reduce injury risk by regularly massaging athletes’ muscles. Regular therapeutic massages for sports injuries can help the body stop being dependent on weak joints and bound muscles when it’s time to perform. It’s also easier to strain muscles that haven’t tightened.
Who Could Benefit From A Sports Massage?
Athletics results from the high level of injury and physical strain that long-term participation in sports activities can cause, as well as the training that goes along with it. Many other activities can take a greater toll on your body’s health and well-being. While professional athletes can benefit from massage therapy, sports massages can also help non-professional athletes. Let’s look at the various groups that could benefit from a sports massage.
Fitness newcomers
A sports massage is not for athletes only. It is vital to manage the physical strain on the body caused by any activity. Both the assessment and care plan can include massage. When starting or intensifying an activity, it is important to pay attention to your body.
Amateur Athletes
Amateurs athletes are more at risk for injury because they don’t have the resources or time to train and practice the same way as professionals. Maybe someone has signed up for a local sports league. Some activities require a higher level of physical skill than the beginner level and dedication, even though they are still relatively easy to do. Every activity has an impact on the body. Massage therapy for sports can ensure that the body has a positive effect.
Professional Athletes
Some people are gifted and driven, with the ambition to make their profession. These people are great candidates for regular sports massage. It is not easy to reach the top in your sport or athletic activity. This requires a lot of planning and dedication. Professional support is also needed. A sport-specific massage can help athletes avoid injury and other damage that derail their career goals. Their rise to the top won’t stop them from having a long, healthy career.
Education & Training Requirements
To earn the degree and become a sports masseur, the candidate must complete at least 500 hours of basic massage education. A candidate must have completed between 500 to 1,000 hours of training in sports massage therapy to become a sports masseur.
Students in sports massage therapy may be able to take classes in kinesiology and rehabilitation and exercise physiology. Certification programs in sports massage therapy may offer these courses.
- Injuries response
- Techniques for pre-and post-sporting events massage
- Identification of common sports injuries
- The timing of therapy
A bachelor’s degree in sports management is required for massage therapists working with celebrities. Many schools partner with professional sports organizations to offer students the opportunity to meet industry leaders and do specific internships. Students should do extensive research before choosing a program.
Professional Certifications & Licenses
Many states require that sports massage therapists be certified by recognized organizations like the American Massage Therapy Association. The organization offers comprehensive training and certification programs that combine theory with practical learning. Nearly all states require that the National Certification Board license licensed sports massage therapists for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Sports Massage Therapist in Grande Prairie, Alberta
If you are looking for a sports massage therapist in the Grande Prairie area, please contact us at Grande Prairie Massage Pro. Call us today at (587) 495-2239 to book your appointment! Our therapists have the experience and training to help you recover from your sports injuries and improve your overall performance.