Benefits of Stretching and Massage for Athletes

Athletes must continually train their bodies and minds for competition and events. The performance of an athlete has to always be optimal. Stretching and massage are some of the ways that athletes ensure that their bodies are in good condition at all times.  According to research, stretching affects the muscular system, and nervous system in a way that is beneficial to athletes.  There are several benefits that athletes receive from stretching and massage. Athletes in the West Georgia area can receive massage from trained Therapists in Hiram, GA, Douglasville, GA and Carrollton, GA.  There are many therapists trained in sports massage, and it is beneficial to an athlete to work with the same therapist for optimal results.  The benefits of stretching and include:

1.    Improved sleeping patterns

    Regular massage helps ensure that the athlete sleeps well. Good regenerative sleep is important as it allows the body and brain to heal after strenuous training. For an athlete, quality sleep means that he or she can accomplish his regimen in an optimal and efficient way.

2.    Reduced muscle pain and injury

    As athletes practice or engage in their sporting activities, they often face pain because of inflammation and injury often caused by repetitive movement.  An athlete that must recuperate from an injury loses precious training time.  A knowledgeable  therapist can help an athlete avoid serious injury, thereby helping the athlete to keep their competitive edge. Through massage muscles are relieved of tightness and inflammation which can lead to a pulled or torn muscle. 

3.    Improvement of blood circulation in the body

    A therapeutic massage helps fatigued muscles relax.  When muscles are tight and constricted blood does not flow evenly around the tissue. Blood flow circulates around the body more efficiently when a muscle is relaxed.  Since an athlete is using up more energy, efficient circulation of blood ensures that the athlete breathes easily which improves performance levels. An athlete can also avoid fainting episodes that result from lack of enough blood in the brain.

4.    Improved flexibility

    Regular stretching before and after engaging in a sporting activity is important for an athlete. A more flexible muscle is capable of higher performance. A flexible muscle can be pushed to its limits without tearing or pulling.  Massage helps the muscles to stretch and relax thereby allowing the athlete to perform to his/her highest capability.

5.    Enhanced mental health

    Athletes often face high stress levels. This is because of the pressure from their coaches and also personal pressure to perform the best in whichever sport they are participating in. Since they spend most of the time training, it can be difficult to find quality time to relax. The few minutes spent with a therapist are worth it for the athlete. The athlete is refreshed and relaxed mentally and physically from the experience. This is important because it ensures that the athlete does not suffer from lethargy and exhaustion.

Athleticism does not only depend on the physical strength of an athlete but also his psychological strength. Massage therefore helps reduce the stress levels as it allows the body and mind to be relaxed

Sports massage can be found in Hiram, GA as well as other cities in West Georgia. Sports therapists are specially trained to deal with athletes who come in for massage sessions. These therapists perform: a faster paced massage specialized stretching, instruction for the athlete. The therapist may offer guidance to the athlete on how to stretch his or her muscles. Sports massage can take place before the athlete engages in any sporting activity.  Intermediate message occurs during a break from the sporting activity. For example, an athlete may experience a spasm while running. A therapist can perform a massage on the pressure point to relieve muscle tightness. Deep-tissue massage takes place after a sporting activity. An athlete may have a problem with a certain part of the body.  Sports massage can be an uncomfortable form. This is because it gets into the deeper tissue and muscle fibers.  Overall, one feels much better after attending a session. It is best for athletes to have a massage at least 30 minutes weekly to reap maximum benefits from therapy.

5 Most Common Spa Services

Every day people engage in activities that often weigh down the body and mind. It is, therefore, a good idea to take time and relax. The best way an individual can pamper him/herself, is by visiting a spa. A visit to the spa leaves one’s mind and body feeling relaxed, rested and rejuvenated. There are many spas in Villa Rica, GA and the surrounding area that offer relaxing services. The West Georgia are offers many serene spas that set the mood for relaxation for all the clients who visit.  Massage, Facials, Body Wraps, Pedicures, and Brow Waxing are among the most common spa services.

1.    Swedish Massage

    The masseuse starts by making one feel comfortable while lying on a massage table, face down in most cases. The massage therapist then slides, kneads, taps and vibrates the body of the client. The masseuse also performs cross strokes which help in relieving tension in the muscles.  According to research, a forty-five minute Swedish massage has the ability to lower the levels of stress hormones in the body. A Hot-stone Massage is also a popular treatment in many spas including those in Villa Rica, GA.  It offers similar benefits to Swedish massage. The only addition is warmed stones carefully placed on acupressure points of the body.  The heat from these stones assists in helping the muscles relax. It has been proven that this procedure can help reduce stiffness and inflammation of muscles.
 
2.    A Facial

    Facials also provide a rejuvenating and relaxing effect on the skin and entire body.  A skincare therapist uses products intended to aid problems on a person’s skin. There a variety of facials to treat different needs.  Facials can range from anti-aging, calming, medicated, and aromatherapy. Products used in facials are what make each facial different.  Ingredients in the products vary greatly and can include anything from vegetables and fresh fruits to essential oils. Most facials include a variation of the following: thorough cleansing, exfoliation, massage, mask and moisturizer.  The massage is often a client favorite and relieves facial muscles tension, and can give the client an instant temporary facial lift.  Exfoliation can include a scrub or acidic peels.  Many facials are accompanied by a hand and/or foot massage, neck and shoulder massage or arm massage. Chances are, after your first facial you will want to go back for more appointments.

3.    Body Wrap

    A body wrap often includes exfoliation, application of a therapeutic solution, and a light massage. The exfoliation prepares the skin to absorb the solution that the technician will apply next.  Depending on the desired result, a variety of body mask or solution is applied to the body. The body mask may feel like a mud, liquid or gel.  The skin is then wrapped tightly with a variety of materials.  The type of material the body is wrapped in depends upon the desired effect.  The body may be wrapped tightly with breathable bandages to allow the body to secrete impurities, or it may be wrapped in an airtight material to allow maximum penetration of the solution.  Many people seek body wraps to detoxify the body by getting rid of impurities via the body’s largest organ, the skin.  A client typically stays wrapped for 20-60 minutes. After the wrap is removed, a shower or moisturizer may be applied.

4.    Foot Massage and Pedicure

    People spend lots of time on their feet, either standing or walking from one place to another.  Walking for long distances leads to discomfort to the feet. This feeling is often worsened when one puts on uncomfortable shoes. A foot massage helps the muscles of the feet relax and soothes the entire body.  The experienced touch of a massage therapist or nail technician brings most people relaxation and joy.  When seeking solutions for the feet, people usually want some type of massage or pedicure. A pedicure includes a cleansing soak, exfoliation, trimming of the toe nails, smoothing of calluses and dead skin, massage and optional polishing of the toenails. When an entire pedicure is not desired, reflexology is often what clients desire to relax the feet and body.  Reflexology is an alternative medicine involving the physical act of applying pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion.

5.    Brow Waxing

Most women at one point in their life have probably had an eyebrow wax.  It is one of the most common services in hair salons and spas.  Waxing involves the process of applying a warmed wax to the skin where there is unwanted hair; a strip is then applied over the wax and then removed quickly. As the strip is removed it also removes the unwanted hair with it.  The hair is removed from the root, causing the hair grow back much slower than if it were shaved.

How to get the most out of your next massage

Massage Therapy is an unsung hero and healer in the area of wellness.  The receiver of massage will notice a myriad of benefits including stress relief, decrease in depression and chronic stress, better circulation, increased immunity, and a reduction in muscle pain.  I believe that regular massage can enhance both your health and happiness.

According to studies, massage therapy has been proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol.  Too much, or prolonged Cortisol in the body can lead to a weakened immune response, thereby inhibiting the body’s ability to fight disease and sickness.  Memory loss and reduced cognitive function are other adverse effects of the stress hormone cortisol.  Decreased thyroid function and weight gain are also attributed to a high level of stress.  Massage therapy not only decreases cortisol in the body but it increases the level of endorphins, the feel-good hormone.

 Massage therapy can take on many forms.  Generally massage falls into one of 4 categories: relaxation, deep-tissue, medical,and specialty massages.  It is important that you select the right massage for your needs.If you are feeling mentally stressed, over-worked, or are sore from working out then a relaxation massage or Swedish massage is probably best for you.  If you are feeling stiff, have pain or muscle tightness then a deep-tissue/therapeutic massage would be right.In the case of the latter, the muscle is worked a little deeper in order to relax the muscle.  In a recent scientific case conducted by Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, a researcher at McMaster University in Ontario, massage was found to help tissue cells recover faster, and decreased inflammation.

Massage Therapy was once thought of as a luxury or just a feel-good treatment.Thanks to recent scientific studies, hopefully massage can be thought of a little differently.As time goes on, I believe further studies will show even more benefits of massage.Massage is now being used on premature infants, cancer patients, and in smoking cessation programs. It most certainly is a wonderful feeling treatment, but it also promotes superiormental health, and healing for the body.

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