You may have heard of a sports massage, and it‘s left you wondering whether or not they are the right solution for you. Here we‘ll take a look at what they entail, their cost and the different types available. By the end you‘ll have a clear idea of whether or not they are the right option for you.
Are Sports Massages Worth It?
A massage is a treatment in which a physiotherapist manipulates a patient‘s skin, muscles, and connective tissues, either barehanded or using different tools and equipment.
Massages are done for various reasons, ranging from pain relief to relaxation. Different techniques are utilized by physiotherapists in order to be able to meet the goals of the massages being given.
One particular type of massage is sports massage. Sports massage is a type of massage which helps improve and maintain the physical condition of athletes through muscle, nerve, and tissue stimulation.
Sports massage also helps in injury prevention and recovery and helps maintain and improve an athlete‘s health. Unlike other types of massages, such as Swedish massage, sports massage is quite strenuous rather than relaxing.
Like all massages, sports massages can be pretty costly, costing around £45 to £75 per session. As such, it is best to be able to understand what a sports massage is and determine the benefits it provides in order to be able to properly decide whether or not sports massages are actually worth it.
What are the Techniques Used in Sports Massage?
Sports massages share a variety of techniques with other types of massages. However, each technique‘s usage and intent differentiate sports massages from massages that cater to body relaxation. Below are the five main techniques used in sports massages.
Vibration – This technique that involves using rapid movements with the fingertips, side, or heel of the hand in order to stimulate and loosen up tight muscles.
Rubbing – Rubbing involves rubbing the hands or thumbs on the skin, creating friction. This helps loosen up tissues and improve blood flow toward affected areas.
Tapotement (Tapping) – This is a technique used to stimulate nerve endings and improve blood flow, tapotement involves using the hands or fingertips in order to rapidly tap several parts of the body. The back, thighs, and buttocks are the common areas where tapping is performed.
Effleurage (Stroking) – This technique involves sliding circular strokes using the hands, fingers, thumbs, elbows, or forearms. Oils may be used for smoother strokes. Effleurage is often used at the start of a massage in order to prepare patients for harsher techniques.
