benefits of massage

There are many benefits to having sports massage or soft tissue therapy which can have a positive impact on life and sporting activity. Massage works on many systems of the body, not just the muscles, but also affecting the nervous system, blood flow and lymph flow, this is why there are contraindications to massage for some people. All these things can help to make the body function more effectively.

Massage improves circulation which helps deliver needed nutrients and oxygen to the soft tissues helping them to grow and repair more effectively and improve the removal of waste from the area.

Massage increases cell permeability which means that when the nutrients and oxygen arrive in the blood supply the tissues are more able to absorb them and are also able to more effectively get rid of any waste products in the tissues back into the blood.

Massage improves lymphatic and venous flow. Unlike arterial blood (fresh oxygenated nutritious blood) the lymph and venous (used deoxygenated waste laden blood) flow doesn't have any assistance from the heart to move around the body and has a low pressure, so it has to rely on the movement of muscles to progress it around the body.

Massage improves cell metabolism which means the tissue cells are able to make use of the oxygen and nutrients more quickly and effectively making them more efficient.

Massage sedates or stimulates nerve endings. Nerve endings can either be stimulated to make you more alert or sedated so that your muscle is able to relax. However there can be a deeper impact to this and by stimulating receptors you can have a positive effect on emotional stress and some medical conditions such as migraines. Also by stimulating the nervous system you can help prepare for a sporting event.

If necessary massage can help to remodel scar tissue although if an injury has been properly managed and rehabilitated this should never need to be done. Scar tissue can never really be broken down or got rid of but it can be rehabilitated to be as effective as possible. However if the scar tissue is forming in a way that would make it less effective for example in a criss cross pattern rather than in line with the existing fibres it can be remodeled. This is done by taking the area back to the inflammatory stage. It is preferred not to do this and that is why it is wise to seek advise when you gain an injury. The essay on inflammation is a good read to helping understand why the rehabilitation process is so important and why massage can be of benefit in this area.

Often during exercise and other activities muscles will shorten which is why it's important to stretch after exercise. However sometimes this is not enough and massage can target very specific areas of tissue that are hard to stretch. By elongating the muscle you also give back its flexibility which can in turn improve the range of movement of joints that the muscle effects. You can also look to permanently increase muscle length where muscles have become shortened from lack of use, maybe after an injury.

Why would you want to do this? If an athlete is about to take part in an event you don't want over lengthened uncontrollable muscles that are susceptible to injury or allow a joint to be hyper extended, you need quick ready to respond muscle that are in control and strong to help prevent injuries and hyper extension of joints.

Decreased muscle tone is probably the most sought after benefit from massage as most problems come from too much tone or tension in the muscles. Over tight muscle tension can cause allot of discomfort and pain such as head aches, pain in movement or performing day to day tasks and can also contribute to problems such as broken sleep. By releasing the tension in the muscles and bringing the fibres back to a more normal resting state allot of discomfort and pain can be relieved or can go all together and again improve range of movement in joints.

Again this may seem odd but like decreasing muscle length it prepares the athlete for an event by giving back the explosiveness they might need in their muscles.

As you can see there is a lot to be gained from having sports massage or soft tissue therapy. Putting these benefits together by using the correct techniques can gain you the results you're after whether its improving your personal best or just allowing you a good night sleep.