What Is Sports Massage?                         Home

Vol. 2 Issue 3

March 15, 2008

This Month's Specials
                                                                                                                             

               

    Let’s start by giving you a true definition of what an athlete really is.  An athlete is someone who participates in various types of sports such as running, tennis, golf, weight training, swimming, to name a few.  Whether you’re a professional or an amateur athlete, most sports involve the repetitive use of the same muscle groups, and less use of other groups of muscles.  This leads to change in strength patterns, compensation patterns, as well as tissue formation to hold the muscles together due to the extra emphasis on the muscles.  This is where sports massage becomes beneficial for you.

What exactly is sports massage?  Sports massage consists of various massage and stretching techniques that help the tissues repair and push any build up of lactic acid and other metabolites out of the muscles, reducing muscle soreness.  Sports massage also helps to decrease cramping, muscle tension, as well as improves circulation, range of motion, and athletic ability.

You say that Sports massage will improve my athletic ability, how?  In sports massage stretching plays a major role.  Stretching should be done everyday even if you’re not exercising everyday.  By having a stretching routine you are conditioning your muscles to repair and regenerate at a faster rate.   Stretching lengthens the muscles and tendons giving you more flexibility, preventing  injury. Your limbs will be able to extend out further, and your balance will also be improved.  In sports massage the therapist will make sure that you are stretching properly and give you the assistance needed to get the maximum stretch.  Stretching can also prevent muscle cramps.

Muscle Cramps happen because of dehydration or a depletion of minerals such as, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.  These minerals can be replenished through certain foods and drinks with electrolytes, such as Gatorade.  When you sweat, you lose potassium.  It is very important to keep yourself hydrated before, during, and after athletic activity.  Also, make sure that you have an adequate cool down after any high impact exercise to prevent muscle cramping.

Massage can release cramping muscles through a process called reciprocal inhibition.  When a muscle is contracted the antagonist muscle is in a relaxed state. If you encounter a cramp, stretching the antagonistic muscle forces the cramping muscle to relax.  Staying hydrated, eating right, stretching, and regular massage can all help prevent cramps from taking place during, or after your event. 

As you can see sports massage helps to reduce cramping, decrease of injury, and help your athletic performance. It is a good to receive a massage at least once a week during vigorous training.  By incorporating these simple steps you will have a better overall athletic performance.

 

R. I. C. E.  

 

Rest

Always rest the injured area to allow

time for healing.

Ice

Always use ice in the acute stage of

an injury.

Compression

Wrap the injured area with a bandage

For extra support, to keep from re-

Injuring the area

Elevation

Keep injured area elevated to reduce

Swelling and promote good circulation

                                                                                                            

 

Spring Time is here, a time for Newness. Come in and leave feeling renewed with our 90-minute Hot Stone Massage for $110.00

 

For your First visit to Long Life Therapeutics you will receive $10.00 off.

 

 

(Offers are good through this month only)

 

Long Life Travel

Long Life Therapeutics is proud to announce Long Life Travel.

This is a one stop shop where you can book your travel whether it be a vacation, last minute trip, or business, as well as purchase event tickets, send flowers, and you can even buy a car. We have comparable pricing to those sites such as expedia, orbitz, ect..

Decrease your stress and get it all done at one place. for more information visit: www.long-lifetravel.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcements:

Long Life Therapeutics would like to introduce our newest member of the team, Tina Johnson!                           Click here to read her bio.

 

Long Life Therapeutics would like to know what massage and health topics you would like to read about. To submit your Topics click here.

If you have a massage testimonial that you would like to share please send them in and we will post them on the website. Click here

Wishing you a Happy Easter & God Bless