Benefits of sports massage
Massage is a well known and long practised form of manual therapy thought to have been used by ancient civilisations as a form of medicine, the oldest recording of massage dates back to 700 BC China. Massage in modern times has reached every corner of the world and is a highly respected form of holistic therapy. Massage is thought to have many benefits, both physiological and psychological.
Physiological benefits include:
- Increased blood circulation
- Increased flexibility, range and motion
- Drains waste products of the body such as lactate (lactic acid)
- Reduces chances of injury
- Reduces pain, muscle aches
- Increase self awareness (physical)
Psychological benefits include:
- Reduction of depression and anxiety
- Relaxation
As a Sports Therapist, massage is my go-to method of treatment, specifically sports massage techniques and deep tissue techniques. One of my favourite things about massage is the immediate effect it has on improving injury. As a therapist, I want my patient’s movement to return to as normal as is possible, the other benefits are just an added bonus.
Chris Moulder (Sports therapist at Atomic Sports Therapy / CB Fitness)