Kiss Sports Related Pain Goodbye!
If you’re an athlete, it comes as no surprise to you that it is important to maintain optimal health if you want to continue playing the game you love. Seeing a physical therapist is a huge factor in that, especially if you’ve received an injury and are in the recovery process. A good therapy routine after an injury involves targeted therapeutic massage.
According to the Mayo Clinic,“Massage is generally considered part of complementary and integrative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.” It makes sense that massage therapy is becoming so popular.
Here are five of the best benefits therapeutic massage can provide athletes. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more about how our physical therapists massage techniques can keep you active in the sport you enjoy!
1. Stronger Immune System
Getting sick can take a serious toll on an athlete. Even one case of the cold or flu can keep you on the bench for weeks, not to mention you’ll probably be performing at less than 100% for a while afterwards. Physical therapy massage can help boost your immune system’s natural defenses. When you receive a massage, your body will begin to start up its “natural cytotoxic capacity.” This means you’ll be better prepared to fight off harmful bacteria, germs, and illnesses, which in turn ensures you’re out sick less often!
2. Improved Posture
Therapeutic massage helps to properly align your body. When coupled with other kinds of physical therapy, massage can seriously improve your posture. Better posture has multiple benefits for athletes, because when you have good posture, your body can move and perform at its optimum levels all the time. This means that you’ve got a bit of a natural advantage when playing your sport of choice (which might mean more wins for your team!)
3. Increased Circulation
Better circulation means that your muscles are getting enough blood supply to prevent stiffness and tension. Your muscles will work and feel better after therapeutic massage!
4. Massage Breaks Up Scar Tissue
Any time you receive an injury, your body will form adhesions — bands of tough scar tissue — around the injury. These adhesions will end up restricting your movement, result in some serious inflammation and pain, and can delay your recovery for a very long time if they go left untreated. Your physical therapist’s massage techniques can deal with those adhesions very efficiently.
A licensed therapist can use specific techniques that target and break up the adhesions. In turn, this will loosen and unbind your muscles. Massage is a very important part of your physical therapy program because being adhesion-free is important for relieving pain and restoring a proper range of motion.
5. Muscle Relaxation
Muscle soreness, tightness and pain are all things that you expect as an athlete. While muscle relaxation is the best-known benefit of massage, it takes on a whole new importance for an athletic person. The good news is that you can significantly decrease these issues with regular therapeutic massage. Even after you've completed a physical therapy program following an injury, you might benefit from regular massages with your physical therapist. Ongoing treatment can only benefit you in the long run, and keep your muscles from tightening up.
Taking care of your health
Dealing with an acute or chronic injury from sports can be exhausting and extremely debilitating in many cases. No matter what kind of injury you’ve sustained, our physical therapists can help you make a full recovery.
Your body needs to be in the best condition at all times if you’re an athlete. You want to be able to perform at a top notch level! This means that if you get hurt, it is critical that you consult with a physical therapist about a recovery plan.
It also means that you need to recognize the importance of health maintenance. Receiving a therapeutic massage once or twice a month is something that is really simple, but can ultimately help you feel your very best. The outcome is that you'll be able to be at your peak for every game!
Contact our office today to learn more about massage therapy
If you're looking for safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment solutions for pain and sports injuries, or if you just want to improve your sports performance levels, call our physical therapy team now to get started with an expert physical therapist. Your therapist will assess your condition, look at your medical history, pinpoint the source of your pain, and be able to create a totally customized treatment plan with massages and targeted stretches to help get you back on your feet and in the game. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more!