Athletes spend practices and games focused on strengthening their bodies and building cardiovascular endurance through high-speed drills. However, sometimes, a little relaxation can be a good thing. Here are the powerful benefits of massage therapy for athletes. 

What Are the Perks of Getting a Massage as an Athlete?

1. Relaxing Muscles

During massage therapy, professionals manipulate the muscles of the body, stimulating a powerful relaxation response. Since some muscles are prone to ongoing tightness, such as the lower back or calves, massage can help to relax those muscles and improve an athlete’s range of motion.

As an added bonus, the massage experience itself is very relaxing, which can help athletes to reduce stress levels during periods of busy training. 

2. Preventing Injuries

The biggest fear of any athlete must be getting injured.  Injuries impair performance, delay training and conditioning, but most of all, injuries hurt. If you have ever dealt with an injury, then you know the worth of preventive measures to avoid another one.

Researchers at McMaster University reported that massage following an intense workout actually causes muscles to enlarge and grow new mitochondria; the powerhouses of cells and responsible for converting nutrients into useful energy. Increasing mitochondria can improve endurance performance by increasing the rate muscles utilize oxygen. Massage can help prevent injuries when administered after a warm-up but before conditioning. It also helps to return the muscles to their relaxed state after a training session.

3. Reducing Pain 

Massages encourage the body to release endorphins, which are natural painkillers. In fact, studies have shown that people routinely use massage therapy to alleviate pain, since it is a drug-free alternative that works. One study found that 25% of American adults had scheduled a massage at least once in the prior year, and that half of those people had turned to massage therapy for pain relief. 

4. Improving Rehabilitation

When you’re an athlete experiencing discomfort, it can impact your ability to train, and ultimately, recover. However, when you turn to massage for pain relief and improved range of motion, you can improve your ability to bounce back. This is because you’ll be able to strengthen other muscles that can support the injured part of your body.

For instance, if you experience a lower back pain injury during training, massage therapy could relieve pain enough to make it possible for you to return to training and strengthen your core, which can help to support your back and reduce pain. 

Whether you’re an athlete or somebody close to you is, the team at Hands-On Health Massage & Physical Therapy can help to alleviate pain and improve overall wellness. Whether you need deep tissue massage therapy, postural realignment, or physical therapy, these talented professionals can help you to achieve your goals. Learn more about their rates by visiting their website, or book your next visit by calling (336) 906-2040.