What’s The Difference Between A Physio Sports Massage And A Standard One?

Massage has many beneficial effects on your physical and emotional well-being. It can do everything from decreasing anxiety to improving your blood flow and easing your blood pressure. Most people associate massage with relaxation and spa treatments, but different types exist to fulfil different functions. Not all massages will feel like ‘a gentle rub’ that works to lessen the impact of stress on the body. Some types, like sports massages, will only be performed by a professional knowledgeable in anatomy and exercise physiology and with the relevant credentials from an accredited educational institution. Here’s a bit more information on the difference between sports massages and normal massages and why you need to select the right one for your needs.

The Aim Of A Sports Massage

A regular massage aims to relieve the effects of everyday stress and is superficial in application. On the other hand, sports massage places emphasis on working muscle fibres at a deeper level. It’s a targeted manipulation of soft tissue that will either realign the muscles, increase the supply of nutrients to the area or deliver more oxygen to specific spots.

As professional athletes endure regular repetitive and aggressive training, additional stress is placed on these areas, resulting in tightening, spasms and stiffness. A quality sports massage reduces the risk of injuries and enhances recovery after a training session.

What To Expect From A Sports Massage

Are you a sportsperson looking to receive the benefits of this type of specialised massage? This is what you can look forward to. It will:

• Relax any overly rigid muscles for increased flexibility
• Quicken recovery and rehabilitation time after excessive training
• Reduce pain produced by overworked muscles
• Get rid of by-products of exercise such as lactic and uric acid build-up
• Create new muscle tissue by effectivley delivering oxygen and nutrients
• Contributes to mental strength by easing stress and improving focus

Which Is Best?

As you can see, different forms of massage have their applications. You’ll find that scheduling regular sports massages will improve your sporting performance, resulting in faster recovery, less frequent injury and better overall response times.

When the time comes for relaxation, and you’re no longer focusing on your next race or competition, a standard massage will be just what you need to unwind and take a step back from focusing on your performance on the field.

Instead of trying to find separate physiotherapy clinics in Auckland that specialise in sports massages and standard massages, call our Auckland physiotherapy team at Cairnhill Physiotherapy to book an appointment, as we offer both.