Sports massage is an excellent way to address chronic pain and several other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system.
To put it in simple words, a sports massage is an act of pressing and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to relieve stress and induce relaxation; it could range from superficial massage to deep pressure techniques.
Today, massage therapy is recommended for some patients to treat various medical conditions, including rotator cuff syndrome, sciatica, insomnia, and even depression.
In this article, we will discuss the role of sports massage in chronic pain and how to use this technique in your favor.
The benefits of sports massage
1. Reduces muscle tension
By increasing blood flow to the muscles, a sports massage can significantly reduce muscle tension and decrease post-exertional recovery time.
Additionally, the active and passive contractions of the muscle will help loosen it up along with the attached tendons.
All in all, a sports massage reduces your muscle tension significantly.
2. Relieves chronic pain
Chronic pain describes the feelings of pain experienced long after the initial injury took place; it could also be witnessed in patients with idiopathic (unknown origin) pain of the lower back or neck.
When compared to receiving no treatment, chronic pain was considerably improved in patients who received multiple sessions of massage therapy.
3. Promotes relaxation
Several studies showed the benefits of sports massage, especially when it comes to reducing stress and anxiety.
Experts believe that massage therapy regulates the process of hormonal secretion. In particular, the levels of endorphins increase, which are the hormones responsible for making you feel relaxed and less anxious.
4. Helps you sleep better
In a 2017 study, researchers found that back massage improves the duration and quality of sleep in patients with congestive health failure. Another study found the same results in adolescent patients with cancer.
Similarly, the sleep-inducing properties of sports massage stem from its effect on melatonin, which is the primary chemical that induces sleep.
Reducing stress and inducing relaxation can create the perfect environment to get better sleep during the night.
Note that sleeping better is crucial to relieving chronic pain.
5. Relieves tension headaches and migraine
Headaches are some of the most challenging medical conditions to deal with due to their idiopathic (i.e., unknown) origin, chronicity, and the absence of a cure.
One of the proposed therapies for tension headaches and migraines is sports massage therapy, which significantly reduces the frequency and intensity of these episodes. Additionally, massage therapy reduces the duration of each episode.
A 2002 study concluded that “The muscle-specific massage therapy technique has the potential to be a functional, nonpharmacological intervention for reducing the incidence of chronic tension headache.”
6. Improves stress and anxiety
As we mentioned earlier, massage therapy regulates the secretion of several hormones, including cortisol, which induces feelings of stress and anxiety. The chronic release of this hormone can be detrimental to both physical and mental health.
By reducing cortisol, a sports massage can help you feel less stressed and anxious, resulting in more efficient decision-making and planning, both are crucial traits to have in the field of sports.
7. Helps reduce arthritis pain
Arthritis is a chronic medical condition. It presents with inflammation inside the joint capsule, leading to the classic symptoms of:
• Pain
• Warmth
• Redness
• Swelling
Getting a sports massage can help address your arthritis symptoms .
It is important to speak with your physician before starting any type of massage therapy since some types can worsen your symptoms. For instance, deep tissue massage can exacerbate the symptoms of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
8. Increases flexibility and range of motion
One final benefit of getting a sports massage is the increased flexibility and articular range of motion. This is especially impactful for older individuals who rarely exercise.
By active and passive stimulation of the tendons and ligaments, massage therapy will prevent the stiffness of these structures, which will allow you to move more freely and decrease your risk of getting injured.
A 2017 meta-analysis supported this theory when it found a significant improvement of the shoulder’s range of motion in patients who received massage therapy.
Takeaway message
Sports massage is an excellent way to relieve chronic pain of all types. It is beneficial for musculoskeletal pain, migraines, arthritis, and even sleep disorders.
We hope that this article managed to highlight the role of sports massage in healing chronic pain; however, if you still have any questions, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
If you want a sports massage in Esher, reach out to us at Jamie Lloyd Fitness.