The manual therapy, also known as sports massage, therapy, is an effective therapy that is primarily used by physical therapists, sports trainers, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists to treat muscular impingement and stiffness. It includes gentle manipulation and kneading of muscles, softening of the joints and soft-tissue manipulation. This is a special type of massage that improves mobility, flexibility, and alignment. It is often part of a holistic wellness program and is often part of medical sports medicine. However, it can also be used as an alternative therapy for self-help application. To be effective, a massage should cover at least five major areas: back, shoulder and neck, shoulder blade, forearm and hip. This soft tissue region is extremely sensitive and can be easily damaged if not repeatedly stimulated for a prolonged period of time. The muscles can stiffen and spasms may occur if massage techniques are not performed correctly. Gliding or effleurage movements using the hands that include palm to palm and fingertips to fingertips are effective in sports massage. Also recommended are shiatsu methods. Shiatsu uses finger pressure to penetrate connective tissue and muscles with increased stimulation of collagen, cell growth and healing. Massage techniques for sports should incorporate various strokes and be done with constant pressure and rhythm in order to increase blood circulation to all parts of the body. Effleurage, or gliding fingertips is a good practice to perform over the entire body to maximize its benefits. A roller and a small ball that is placed on the shoulders of a therapist are great options for improving posture. The gentle squeezing and rubbing of soft tissues and effleurage encourage blood flow and, together with the direction of the movement, increase flexibility of the spine. Different techniques for treating sports injuries are applied according to the type of sport. It is different when you are treating muscles or injured tissues. Your therapist should be able to inform you with precision on the type of treatment is best for your specific needs. Certain massage techniques are suitable for specific sports, while others can be used by all athletes. The main goal of sports massage is to ease discomfort by applying pressure and long strokes on specific areas. It is designed to improve blood circulation, ease stiffness and restore normal ranges of motion, specifically in the neck, shoulders and elbows, as well as the knees, hips, the knees and hips. One of the major benefits is the stimulation of lymphatic drainage, which removes waste products from the body and increases circulation. This improves the health and function of the immune system. Massage for sport reduces pain as well as improves range-of-motion by using specific pressure and friction to treat injured areas. Massages can increase blood flow and tissue elasticity, which allows fluid flow without restriction. Injuries are reduced because the stretching of tissues as well as the decrease in inflammation decreases the threshold of pain. Massage therapy for sports has numerous therapeutic benefits. It can increase joint flexibility, muscle strength and relieve sore muscles. It also has a physiological impact. Following a massage your body produces natural chemical substances that aid in healing. Massage therapy can have physical effects, such as increased blood flow, decreased stiffness, and increased lymphatic drainage. Massage therapy can be used to treat a variety however, the primary aim is to ease pain. By stretching muscles that are tight it can reduce inflammation and swelling. It loosens muscles that are stiff and sore which reduces the requirement for medications and other treatments that do not aid in healing. It increases the flexibility of tissues, which facilitates faster recovery and healing following an injury. And it increases the production of natural healing substances like collagen and elastin. These are the most important physical benefits of therapeutic massage.
