If you are an athlete, you know the dedication that comes with it. Whether you’re preparing for an important game, competition, recital, or marathon, it’s no secret that the training is extensive. Because of this, it is likely that you will be faced with some sort of roadblock along the way, due to sore or uncomfortable muscles.
Fortunately, therapeutic massage can help. Therapeutic massage alleviates pain and loosens up tight areas so you can recover faster and get back in the game. Do you want to learn more about how therapeutic massage can improve your performance? Contact us today!
What do soft tissues do?
Your muscles are made up of many small, thin fibers that contract on command, working together to mobilize your muscle groups. These muscles are attached to your bones by connective tissues called tendons, enabling them to move your body parts. Your bones are then connected by tougher bands of connective tissue called ligaments, for added stability. Your ligaments are covered by yet another connective tissue called fascia. All of these connective tissues can be referred to as “soft tissues.”
Soft tissues help in mobilizing your joints and giving your body the strength it needs to perform tasks. Your soft tissues provide you with the ability to do many things; however, they also limit you from pushing yourself too far – even if that’s your intention. These can be damaged by certain stresses, especially those caused by the repeated actions within athletic activity. For example, “tennis elbow” or “golfer’s elbow” are both colloquial terms used to describe tears in the tendons of the elbow. They got their name from the repeated swinging action that tennis players and golfer’s do, making it a common injury that they experience. A tear in the tendon such as this can lead you with a significant amount of swelling and inflammation. Many athletes also experience sprains, which is caused by a ligament stretching farther than intended.
These may occur in response to the intensity of your sport, but they can also occur if muscles simply are too tight before you begin one of your workouts. Therapeutic massage can help with this, as it loosens up the muscles, and may even prevent some of these injuries from occurring.
How can therapeutic massage improve my performance?
Therapeutic massage can benefit athletes both before and after training. There are different types of therapeutic massage that your physical therapist may recommend for your specific needs, including:
- Deep tissue massage. This type of massage loosens up your muscles and their connective tissues.
- Swedish massage. This type of massage relaxes any stiff or tense muscles you may have, allowing for increased blood flow and fluid drainage from swollen areas.
- Myofascial release. This type of massage creates room for tissues that may be trapped by distortions or fascial adhesions, freeing them from constriction.
One of the many benefits of therapeutic massage is that it helps facilitate the natural healing process of your tissues, allowing you to recover faster and get back to your sport. It works to relax, loosen, and mobilize any problem areas so you can recover as quickly as possible. This also decreases your risk of sustaining an injury that could leave you out of the game for extended periods of time.
Your soft tissues work to make sure your body is functioning the way that it should. Because of this, it is important to make sure that your soft tissues are as strong and healthy as possible at all times.
Are you looking to improve your performance? Do you want to improve the health of your soft tissues? Did you sustain an injury that you need fast relief from? If so, contact us as soon as possible to get started on one of our therapeutic massage treatment plans. We can get you back to the sport you love in no time!
