Athlete's Corner
Athletic Massage
Athletes and warriors have been using massage to boost performance for thousands of years. Here's how:
Training/Maintenance Sessions:
30 to 90 min. in length,
regular massage (once a week - once a month) reduces heart rate, blood
pressure and stress, and stimulates neurological pathways. Massage enables more
intense and consistent training by decreasing recovery time, and helping to prevent injuries.
Pre-Event:
Sessions in the
studio 72-24 hours before your event are tailored for peak
performance. A massage before competition
boosts circulation, relaxes and preps muscles and mind, and lubricates the
joints in preparation for an effort.
Post-Event:
A massage lasting from 60 to 90 min. performed 24-72 hours after an
event or rigorous training increases circulation to remove metabolic
by-products of exercise and get fresh nutrients to hungry tissues. It
relaxes muscle tissue, relieves spasms, and prevents soreness. If
your event is offering 15 minute massages like the one in the photo,
you will be sure to benefit!
Athletic
massage frequently includes one or more
of the following techniques:
Compression Massage: Refreshes the blood supply,
and creates a softening effect in the tissues. Often used before deeper,
more specific massage work.
Deep Swedish Massage: Focused gliding pressure,
vibration, and percussion.
Cross-Fiber Massage: Friction applied to create
a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups, or on site-specific
muscle and connective tissue to reduce adhesions and to help create
strong, flexible tissue during recovery.
Trigger Point Massage: Specific
pressure applied to points in muscle and connective tissue reduces hypersensitivity,
muscle spasms and referred pain patterns.
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