Sports Massage
Energise Your Body. Accelerate Your Recovery.
The Floatation Sanctuary is excited to announce that we have a highly experienced Sports Massage Therapist joining the team at the Recovery Centre.
Jess holds a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science degree and brings with her over 10 years’ experience with a range of athletes and teams including the All Blacks, Black Caps, Waikato Chiefs, Waikato NPC, International Cyclists, South African Rugby, Track and field athletes, tennis players and anyone who is actively training and competing.
Limited times on Friday Evenings and Weekends. Availability will show on our online booking system.
Jess understands the benefits of sports massage to help athletes train and compete and is looking forward to meeting some awesome clients and working together!
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a specialised form of massage therapy tailored to the needs of athletes and active individuals.
Unlike a traditional relaxation massage, sports massage focuses on addressing the specific demands placed on the body through physical exertion. By targeting muscle tension, improving flexibility, and aiding recovery, sports massage can enhance athletic performance and overall well-being.
The Benefits of Sports Massage
- Enhanced Flexibility: Tight muscles can restrict movement and increase the risk of injury. Sports massage helps to lengthen and relax the muscles, improving flexibility and range of motion.
- Improved Performance: Research has shown that sports massage can boost athletic performance by increasing mitochondrial activity. Mitochondria are responsible for energy production, so increased mitochondrial function can lead to greater endurance and power.
- Reduced Muscle Soreness: Lactic acid buildup contributes to muscle soreness. Sports massage helps break down lactic acid, reducing discomfort and speeding up recovery time.
- Injury Prevention: Regular sports massage can help prevent injuries by addressing muscle imbalances, reducing tension, and improving flexibility.
- Mental Well-being: Beyond physical benefits, sports massage promotes relaxation and stress reduction, enhancing mental focus and overall well-being.
While often compared to deep tissue massage, sports massage goes beyond simply relieving muscle soreness. It involves a comprehensive approach that combines various techniques, including stretching and manipulation, to address the unique challenges faced by athletes. Our qualified sports massage therapist possesses in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, enabling them to develop customised treatment plans to optimise performance and prevent injuries.
The primary goals of sports massage are to release muscle tightness and increase blood flow to the affected areas. By improving circulation, sports massage helps deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the muscles, promoting faster recovery and reducing inflammation. It aids in the removal of metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid, which can accumulate during intense physical activity and contribute to muscle soreness.
Contrary to popular belief, the benefits of sports massage extend beyond elite athletes. Individuals who engage in regular exercise, from casual gym-goers to weekend warriors, can experience significant improvements in their physical condition through sports massage. Whether you’re striving for peak performance or simply looking to enhance your overall health, sports massage can be a valuable tool in your wellness regimen.
One of the key advantages of sports massage is its ability to enhance flexibility. Tight muscles and restricted range of motion can hinder athletic performance and increase the risk of injury. Sports massage helps to lengthen and relax the muscles, allowing for greater flexibility and improved movement efficiency. By improving flexibility, athletes can execute movements with greater ease and precision, reducing the strain on their bodies.
Research has shown that sports massage can positively affect athletic performance. Studies have showed that even short massage sessions can increase the levels of mitochondria in muscle tissue. Mitochondria are often referred to as the “powerhouses of the cell” as they are responsible for producing energy. By boosting mitochondrial activity, sports massage can enhance the body’s ability to generate energy, leading to increased endurance and power output.
Muscle soreness, commonly known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), is a familiar experience for many athletes. It occurs as a result of microscopic tears in the muscle fibres that occur during exercise. Sports massage can help ease muscle soreness by breaking down lactic acid and other waste products that accumulate in the muscles. Regular sports massage can also help to reduce the severity and duration of DOMS, allowing athletes to recover more quickly and return to training sooner.
Preventing injuries is a top priority for any athlete. Sports massage plays a crucial role in injury prevention by addressing muscle imbalances, reducing tension, and improving flexibility. By identifying and treating areas of tightness or weakness, sports massage can help to optimise muscle function and reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other common athletic injuries.
Besides its physical benefits, sports massage offers significant psychological advantages. The relaxation and stress reduction associated with massage can help athletes manage the mental and emotional demands of training and competition. By promoting relaxation and improving sleep quality, sports massage can enhance overall well-being and mental focus.
To maximise the benefits of sports massage, it is essential to communicate effectively with your massage therapist. Providing detailed information about your training regimen, any injuries, and specific areas of concern will enable your therapist to tailor the massage to your individual needs. Regular sports massage, combined with proper training and nutrition, can help you achieve your athletic goals and optimise your overall performance.