Sports massage Auckland

Does sports massage work ? I get this question all the time. Perhaps the proof is in the pudding, maybe the biggest proof is that it consists of specific components designed to reduce the occurrence of sports related injuries. It specifically alleviates muscle tension and inflammation post-event, and provides a warm-up to loosen muscles for amateur and professional athletes alike pre-event. Massage encourages blood flow, or venous return as it is referred to, when the normal mechanics of blood flow are compromised by fatigue or injury.

I was recently asked to give my top 3 reasons for having a sports massage, so here they are :

1) Prevent injury by reducing inflammation

2) Reduce muscular fatigue and recover quicker

3) Relax and gain mental focus

All athletes are looking to improve their sports performance, however as the level of training is increased, so is the risk of injury. As an athlete boosts their training schedule, they almost always overuse their muscles, causing strain and minor tears in the soft muscle tissues. Unfortunately most athletes ignore aches and pains until they turn into serious injuries. The more it is ignored; the more susceptible it becomes to further strain and injury.

One way to encourage muscle repair after training is with sports massage. Sports massage will help release any built up tension and lactic acid in the overworked muscles so that blood and oxygen can return to the muscle and effectively promote muscle repair. Sports massage, if received as part of a sports program, can help an athlete prevent injury due to overuse. I have yet to find a professional set up during competition, such as the Tour de France, Commonwealth Games or even the pinnacle of the Olympics, where there is any doubt like does sports massage work –  everybody uses it !

In addition to using regular sports massage sessions as part of your sports program, it can also benefit an athlete in the following ways:

Pre-Event Massage – can help athletes prepare for a competitive event. A pre-event massage is brief and invigorating, usually lasting 15-20 minutes. It is given within an hour before the sporting event, even through the clothes to warm up the muscles.

Post-Event Massage should be calming and relaxing. Its goal is to ease muscle pain (by decreasing tension), muscle soreness (by dispersing lactic acid), and to reduce inflammation. A post-event massage should last no more than 15- to 20-minutes, and it should be administered through the athletes clothes. Post-event massages encourage the return of blood and oxygen to tense areas, and they flush out metabolic waste products that have built up during strenuous muscle use. Does sports massage work ? Come and find out yourself ! Book today!

 Massage prices vary throughout different establishments and personal recommendations are always best.

Deep  tissue massage is a form of intense massage that aims to release myofascial (connective tissue) restrictions in the body, and to break up any restrictive scar tissue. It has also been known to help relieve chronic tension, to increase the bodys range of motion and to improve posture.Deep tissue massage also restores the length and flexibility to the fascia (the fiberous tissue that surrounds the muscles) by improving the strength and circulation of the  fascial system. When chronic knots (also referred to as adhesions) exist within the deep muscle tissue, injured fiberous tissues can cause chronic joint and muscle pain. Deep tissue massage encourages the lymphatic and circulatory systems to release tension and promote the repair of injured tissue. All massage strokes are applied with more pressure in order to stimulate the deeper muscles and surrounding tissues, however the therapist will only massage as deeply as the client is comfortable with. As this is a specialized treatment, massage prices are often higher for this type of treatment.

A relaxation massage is exactly what the name implies: a massage strictly for the purposes of rest and relaxation. It is a smooth, gentle style of massage based on Swedish massage designed to improve circulation, range of movement, relief minor muscle pain, and promote overall relaxation with a series of long, gliding strokes, kneading of the muscles, and vibrational taps.It uses firm, yet calming pressure that improves blood circulation, eases muscle tension, and improves flexibility. It quite literally gives you time, space and opportunity to relax.

If you have any other questions about treatments with us, please do not hesitate to ask.