4 Ways Massage Therapy Benefits Athletes

A relaxing massage appeals to people from all walks of life, with almost 50 million people in the United States receiving massages annually. While anyone can benefit from a rejuvenating massage, athletes experience distinct musculoskeletal advantages through massage therapy.

Board-certified chiropractor Steven Gentry, DC, at ChiroCare Therapy in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, frequently recommends massage therapy to athletes aiming to enhance their performance or accelerate recovery. Licensed massage therapist Yessica Garcia, LMT, specializes in circulatory massages for adults and teens, as well as advanced techniques like myofascial release and deep tissue massage therapy.

Our expert team can help you choose the massage therapy that aligns with your specific needs, considering targeted areas, existing injuries, and athletic goals. From amateur enthusiasts to professional athletes, massage therapy offers numerous benefits for both the heart and muscles. Here are four key ways massage therapy benefits athletes:

1. Alleviating Muscle Soreness

Post-exercise muscle soreness is a significant reason many athletes seek massage therapy. Overworking muscles during exercise can lead to tension, resulting in that familiar burn felt for days after a game, competition, or practice.

Our massage therapist manually manipulates muscles to release tension and increase oxygenated blood flow, facilitating faster recovery for sore, tense, and strained muscles.

2. Injury Healing and Recovery

Overuse injuries, such as tennis elbow and jumper’s knee, are common in many sports due to repetitive motions. These injuries develop gradually through cumulative microtrauma to the tissue.

Massage therapy can expedite the healing process by reducing inflammation and enhancing blood circulation, supplying injured tissue with essential oxygen and nutrients for recovery. This can significantly reduce healing time, even when athletes must take days or weeks away from their sport.

3. Increased Range of Motion

Feeling stiff or tight after a rigorous workout is common for athletes. Massage therapy can gently loosen and relax muscles, leading to increased flexibility and improved performance in subsequent athletic competitions.

4. Cardiovascular Benefits

Massage therapy also offers notable cardiovascular benefits. As long as there are no pre-existing heart conditions, massage therapy can reduce blood pressure, slow heart rate, and decrease overall cardiac workload. These effects enable the heart to pump oxygenated blood to muscles more efficiently, enhancing athletic performance during practice or competition.

Schedule your next massage therapy session for relaxation and athletic recovery online or over the phone at ChiroCare Therapy today.