After a game of rugby, football, squash etc., aches and pains are usual. It’s easy (for most players!!) to ignore such problems and carry on. Every club has its players who are particularly renowned for ‘putting an injury to one side’! Rest and ice are beneficial at the acute stage but massage therapy is also a great way to eliminate muscle soreness. Massage can minimize scar tissue build up, promote removal of waste products and lengthen muscles to restore range of motion and overall flexibility. Massage also improves circulation, improves elasticity of muscle fibres and reduces recovery time.
Regular massage can also stop those ‘niggling’ pains developing into chronic injuries. A constant build up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves. For example, a player involved in a sport who is “carrying” an injury may not have their usual level of flexibility. This will put a player at a higher risk of injury and the affected joint will not be able to go through its full range of motion. This may result in the body not being as able to cope with the contact suffered from an unexpected tackle or twist – and that’s when a real problem can arise!!
Massage doesn’t only have to be given to the injured athlete to aid healing; it’s also a great way to maintain the body and promote optimal recovery. If you’re not involved in sport but still get aches and pains, maybe work related, you’re also likely to find massage highly beneficial. Massage, applied skilfully, is a really effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal system.