Massage For Athletes: Important for Health and Performance

I've massaged a lot of athletes; runners, swimmers, soccer players, bicyclists, dancers, body builders, and so on.

Most of them have been very dedicated to their workout routine: 5, 6 even 7 days a week. 5 miles of running a day for a moderately serious runner. 2 hours a day (or more) for the serious body builder in the gym. 5 days a week for a swimmer at 4 hours a pop.

When anybody works out that hard, their body gets TIGHT and sore. Muscles and their attachments get knotted up. Blood flow is restricted and muscles are no longer able to perform at their peak levels because oxygen and nutrients are inefficiently being supplied to the soft tissue.

Not to mention the metabolic waste that isn't properly flushed. Now the body becomes susceptible to pain and injury.

When we workout hard, we're breaking down the muscles so we can build them back up and make them stronger.

When a specific muscle or muscle group gets overly tightened or fatigued it can create 'hitches' in a runner's gait. Suddenly a bicyclist's back gets very sore because his hamstrings are too tight. Feet, calves, shoulders and necks can all fall prey to improper body mechanics.

Question: Why put all of these grueling hours into a workout routine and a strict diet plan only to have a set back because of pain or injury? 

Chronic soreness is a serious issue. Not much fun as I'm sure most athletes can attest to. Tylenol is a quick fix. Yoga is great. Hot tubs are wonderful.

But massage can alleviate, even eliminate a lot of these issues.

Take note of a professional athlete's routine; all of these guys have a team of trainers and specialists making sure nothing gets too out-of-whack when it comes to their multi-million dollar investments. Olympic athletes, MMA, rockstars; most get massaged. I even know a few firefighters, teachers and office warriors that recognize how important massage is to maintain their health and livelihoods.

The rest of us should be no different. I recommend a minimum of one massage a month for even the most casual weekend warrior.

If your gearing up for a marathon or the big bike race, give back to the body that you demand so much of. In the long run (pun intended) it will always pay off.

Keep in mind that not just any old massage will do. Seek out a specialist that knows how to focus on the areas with issues by having the right techniques to address what virtually all athletes battle.

Russell Hallock

http://russellhallock.massagetherapy.com