Sports-Related Pain / Injury
Do you suffer from sports-related pain / injury? Mike Gibbons, LMT, has massage therapy treatments specific to sports-related pain / injury.
As a former rugby and squash player, I can attest to the need for massage therapy when it comes to sports-related pain / injury. Massage therapy works to increase blood flow to the affected area thereby helping to speed up the recovery process. Massage therapy can also aid in relaxing the injured athlete. The relaxation (which naturally promotes rest) aspect of massage therapy is a boon for athletes. Rest is a highly necessary element in healing from a sports-related injury, which can be very trying for many athletes.
Causes of Sports-Related Pain / Injury
Obviously, there are many causes of sports-related pain / injury. A good article in the online publication, www.LiveStrong.com, entitled, Top Ten Causes of Sports Injuries, gives a succinct overview on each of the following causes of sports-related pain / injury:
- Overuse
- Stops and Twists
- Falls
- Improper Equipment
- New or Increased Activity
- Fatigue
- Poor Warm-up
- Impact
- Unilateral Movements
- Technique or Posture
Poor training (in any sport) which inevitably results in poor technique and posture, almost always results in pain / injury. The most common types of sports-related pain / injury are sprains (which affect ligaments) and strains (which affect muscles and tendons). These are graded from I (mild) to III (severe). Grade I sports-related pain / injury usually heals with the “RICE” method (rest, ice, compression and elevation).
If you are suffering from sports-related pain / injury, it is imperative you see a physician and get a proper diagnosis in order to determine the correct course of action.
Massage Therapy for Sports-Related Pain / Injury: More Information
Here is an excerpt from the online publication, About Health, from an article entitled, The Benefits of Sports Massage, by Elizabeth Quinn, Sports Medicine Expert: “While many athletes are convinced of the physical benefit of massage, research on its effectiveness is accumulating. … Researchers at McMaster University reported that deep massage after an intense workout actually causes muscles to enlarge and grow new mitochondria. … The pressure of massage may also improve blood flow during the massage and increase muscle temperature.”
An article from the online publication, www.Active.com, entitled, Why You Need a Sports Massage, by Triatheete, Tracy Endo, states, “Both (pre-race/long workout and post-race/long workout) are beneficial but the pre-race massage will stimulate your muscles whereas the post-race massage is more of a cool-down/recovery massage.”
In a very informative article from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, entitled, Massage for Sports Injuries, an excerpt reads: “Massage for sports injuries is usually employed in the treatment of sprains and strains. … Massage is also used in the treatment of sports injuries that are commonly known as trigger points. Several techniques are applied in an effective massage for sports injuries depending on the type of injury.”
Massage Therapy Can Help Relieve Sports-related Pain / Injury
Most athletes swear by massage therapy as an important element in improving their performance as well as helping to recover from sports-related pain / injury. If you have been injured, you must get a diagnosis from your physician to determine what type of treatment is right for you. If appropriate for your type of injury, massage therapy can aid in your recovery.