I am a mother. My injuries relate to carrying children, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning etc. I don’t do any particular sport, however, I have gone for one a sports massage. Do you have a specific area of pain? If so, it may be for you. Men often are reluctant to go for a massage, however, it may be easier for them to go for a sports massage. Its not merely a day at the spa – now its a masculine affair, even a necessity. Sports massage can treat a range of injuries, from a frozen shoulder, tender knee, or a pulled hamstring.

When receiving a massage, the superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue are manipulated to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being. It can also go deeper with deep tissue massage. The art of massage became popular in the US in the 1800s. It had a surge of popularity until the 1930s and 40s. When modern medicine came to the forefront, the art of massage therapy became discounted as lesser than . Suddenly, it became popular again in the 1960s and 1970s when nurses began to use it to relieve pain in patients. It again gained credibility when, in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta it was deemed a core medical service. An athlete can prepare for his/her next game by receiving a sports massage. It is standard procedure for many athletes.

This is not a new medical breakthrough. Massage therapists have practiced this art throughout the world. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and even Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Sports massage and others are done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being. Massage therapists, the world over, are helping people, not only every-day people, but athletes too! A sports massage can be done before a game or after a game. It can be done during training to help the athlete perform better, train longer and have fewer injuries. They can also be done to repair injuries that may have occurred during an athletic event.

As more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy, this sort of employment is growing. As independent contractors, massage therapists usually they have their own equipment which consists of special massage tables and chairs are used to position clients during massages. A typical commercial massage table has an easily cleaned, heavily padded surface, and a horseshoe-shaped support for the head that allows one to breathe easily while lying face down and can be stationary or portable. This is cleaned between massages, keeping everything very hygienic. An orthopedic pillow or bolster can be used to correct body positioning. Sometimes, mats are used.

When you next time you feel the ache or pain of any sports injury or just of everyday life try massage. Maybe you haven’t considered having a sports massage before you train. Try one to see if it helps. It certainly helps me, and I’m no athlete! Stop by your local spa. See if they have a specialist who will work with you.

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