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One of the biggest problems facing many athletes, at all levels of competition, is the soreness and stiffness that can follow any physical exertion. Whether after a practice or after a game, muscle soreness can interfere with training and simply be a hassle to endure.

Athletes are constantly searching for ways to reduce soreness and improve recovery. One recovery method that is growing in popularity with a number of athletes, both professional and amateur, is the use of sports massage therapy to aid in recovery.
Sports massage was developed to treat the soft tissue soreness that can come after strenuous physical activity. This is achieved through the manipulation of muscle tissue by hand.

According to John Julian, The Massage Company, a Dallas massage therapy provider, “Whether done before or after an event, sports massage therapy can provide a number of benefits for an athlete and should be an integral part of any athlete’s training regimen.”

There are several types of sports massage that are used at different times to provide different benefits for athletes. Pre-event massage therapy is used before a game or competition to aid the athlete in warm ups before competition. A pre-event massage focuses on the muscle groups that will be most heavily involved in physical activity, in an effort to increase blood flow to the muscle groups and prepare the body for activity.

Post-event sports massage usually occurs within two hours of physical activity and is used to relieve the tension and stress that can build up in the muscles after strenuous work. As a game goes on, numerous toxins and lactic acid can build in the muscles, leading to soreness and extended recovery time. Post-event massage is designed to reduce these toxins and speed up recovery so an athlete can resume an optimal training level more quickly.

Many athletes train heavily and frequent training sessions can result in muscle fatigue, which greatly increases the risk of injury. Restorative sports massage is used during training periods to aid in recovery between practices. Restorative massage between training sessions is helpful in reducing the risk of injury.

Finally, when an injury does occur, rehabilitative sports massage can be useful in reducing soreness around the affected area and trigger the body’s natural recovery systems.

“With any physical activity,” said John Julian, “there is a risk of injury. Certain types of sports massage therapy are useful in relieving soreness as well as helping the body recover from injury.”

The physical benefits of massage include increased blood flow and circulation, as well as a relief of tension and stress in muscle groups, which can lead to soreness. Mentally, massage is beneficial in providing relaxation as well as an improved overall sense of well being.

There are numerous benefits to be found in sports massage. Sports massage therapy is helpful in aiding recovery after strenuous activity, as well as alleviating soreness due to injury. Any serious athlete should consider adding massage therapy to his or her training regimen.

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