Athletes constantly strain their bodies as they regularly push themselves to peak performance. A popular way to speed up recovery and prevent injury to muscles is a sports massage.
However, it is a common belief that sports massages are painful, and this steers people away from trying one.
In today’s blog, we will look into what a sports massage is, what you can expect during your treatment and why you should choose Concordia Clinic for your sports massage.
What Is a Sports Massage?
A sports massage is designed to help aid muscle soreness, improve flexibility and enhance circulation in athletes. Unlike traditional massage, sports massages focus on specific muscle groups, addressing issues related to sports performance, recovery, and injury prevention.
Your massage therapist will work deeply into muscles and the soft tissues in the body. Reducing muscle tension and enhancing circulation.
Is a Sports Massage Painful?
A sports massage shouldn’t feel painful, however it may feel uncomfortable. Certain techniques that your massage therapist may use when working into your tissues may be uncomfortable at times.
Skilled massage therapists are trained to work with the client’s pain threshold, ensuring that the treatment is both beneficial and tolerable.
It is key that you communicate with your massage therapist throughout to adjust the pressure of the massage if you are finding it painful.
What to Expect During a Sports Massage
During a sports massage, you may experience various sensations, ranging from gentle pressure to deeper, more intense pressure. Be sure to communicate openly with your massage therapist about your comfort level – if you’re feeling discomfort or pain, let your massage therapist know.
Sensations like pressure and stretching can be intense but should not cross the threshold of pain. If you feel sharp or unbearable pain, it’s important to communicate this immediately so that the therapist can adjust the pressure.
If you are new to sports massages you may find discomfort in your first sessions. This discomfort is likely to appear when your therapist starts to work into different areas of tension or muscle knots.
As the therapist works to relieve muscle tension, you may feel a temporary increase in discomfort, but it should subside as the muscles release tension.
Before the session begins, discuss your specific concerns, areas of focus, and any pre-existing injuries. During the massage, communicating well and providing feedback on the pressure and intensity of the massage will give your therapist a better understanding of how to tailor the session to your comfort.
Post Massage Soreness
After a sports massage, it is normal to experience soreness or tenderness in certain muscles. The post-massage soreness is similar to the feeling after a rigorous workout and usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours. It’s a good sign that your muscles are responding to the treatment and initiating the healing process.
Benefits of a Sports Massage
Whilst a sports massage can be uncomfortable at times, it is worth it for the benefits that come with it. Many athletes incorporate regular sports massages into their recovery routines, helping their bodies to recover quickly.
The benefits of regular sports massages include:
- Immediate relief from muscle tightness
- Improved circulation
- Enhanced flexibility
- Speeds up recovery
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Better sleep
- Improved mood
- Relaxed nerves
Sports Massage at Concordia Clinic
Here at Concordia Clinic, our sports massages are an excellent way to aid muscle recovery. We have a selection of other treatments that aid in muscle recovery, including cupping and/or Acupuncture.
If you are looking to improve your health and wellbeing then we can help! We offer a tailored approach and your sports massage is unique to you and your recovery needs.
If you have any further questions regarding our sports massage treatment or would like to find out more about what we have to offer then please reach out to a member of our team who would love to help!
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