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Thursday, November 2, 2017

Marblehead Sports Therapy Massage For Athletic Performance

By Karen Mitchell


Whether striving for a personal best or engaged in competition with rivals, athletes are a naturally driven, disciplined breed. In search of optimal performance, they routinely test their emotional, mental, and physical limits. On a regular basis, athletes push their bodies past resistance and discomfort, enduring the pain that would send most of us crawling off to the sidelines or throwing in the towel altogether. However, the athlete's dedication to excellent often results in injuries - sprains, fractures, strains, and contusions - the entire body is impacted by continuous, rigorous training. This is where marblehead sports therapy massage, administered by a registered massage therapist, enters into the equation.

Athletes around the world are reaping the benefits of massage. Sports massages are designed to prepare the body for more strenuous activity. These therapies are much more than just for relaxing after the game. Massage chair manufacturers are adding more massage features that are aimed at both amateur and professional athletes alike.

Doctors have learned that a athletics therapy massage for athletes before, during and after a game or match can limit injury and contribute to faster recovery when injuries do occur. This is because athletics therapy massages loosen muscles increasing their flexibility while increasing circulation allowing them to metabolize fuel to enhance performance. This cuts down on athletics-related injuries such as a pulled muscle, sprains and fractures. Other benefits for athletes are improved range of motion, increased bodily fluid flow, scar tissue break-down and endorphin releases.

Many trainers and event organizers hire sports massage therapists to give short 10-15 minute massages before and after athletes perform. These mini-sessions are believed to enhance performance, prevent injury, eliminate the build-up of lactic acid, and stave off muscle cramping. Of course, longer more intensive massages are given during training and focus on each athlete's particular challenges or injuries. Athletics therapists use their special knowledge of how the body moves when playing various types of athletics, using this insider information to help boost performance and prepare for competition.

Find out about requirements for licensing in your state. In general, you will need a Master's degree from accredited physical rehabilitation school and good scores on National Physical Rehabilitation Examination. Still, your state may have some additional requirements for becoming a therapist in athletics medicine. Contact your state licensing department and find out about the procedure in your area.

Therapists work one-on-one with athletes to help them gain agility and strength. Patients can also recover quickly when using advanced physical rehabilitation techniques customized for their specific sport. Thanks to the wide variety of specialties studied in physical rehabilitation, anyone can benefit from a rehabilitation program that takes into consideration their specific ailment.

Robotic massage chairs use these techniques plus air compression to gently squeeze, hold and release many areas of your body. These shiatsu chairs are built with air compression systems and airbags that can stimulate the muscles in the lower body. The Panasonic EP-3222 massage recliner has 33 airbags positioned in the seat and footrest to perform lower body massages.

There are also opportunities to apply what you've learned onsite at sporting events, and in year two these opportunities are extended during the second practicum. Students interested in sports massage will have the chance to work in real world environments, helping treat patients with chronic or acute pathologies.




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