A chiropractic sports massage will reduce the risk of injury and improve flexibility and the circulatory system. A chiropractic sports massage is a focused treatment that is designed for the biomechanical needs and physical demands of individuals that regularly engage in sports/physical athletic activities like:

• Running
• Gym workouts
• CrossFit
• Football
• Basketball
• Raquetball
• Skating
• Cycling
• Soccer
• Yoga

Individuals that stress their bodies to the limits through physical activities can benefit from a chiropractic sports massage.

A chiropractic sports massage is not like a spa massage

A chiropractic sports massage is not like a spa massage. There are spa massages to help individuals unwind and relax. And then there is a massage for healing sore muscles, tendons, and ligaments after an intense game, workout, etc. This type of massage helps loosen the muscles/connecting tissues and allows the body to heal a lot quicker. This is done by increasing the blood and nerve circulation around the muscles.

Breaks down scar tissue

For individuals with previous injuries, a sports massage will help break down the developed scar tissue. This allows for more flexibility and an increase in the muscles’ function.

More than a rubdown

The massage therapist might be an athlete or have extensive sports injury therapy training. A sports massage is more than just a rubdown. Treatment depends on the individual’s favorite sporting activity/s, along with the number and severity of the injury, sprain, or strain. The massage treatment could include:

• Light resistance exercise
• Stretching
• Gentle mobilization

Helps deal with hormonal changes

Female athletes tend to experience more hormonal changes than women that are not athletic. This massage helps improve how the body deals with the changes and relaxes the mind while stimulating the body to release serotonin. When the mind and body are relaxed, sleep improves, helping to improve mood.

Helps prevent soreness

It helps to prevent muscle soreness after intense exercise or an intense game. It can alleviate discomfort and sore muscles. A session after a workout/game can significantly affect how the body feels the next day.

Helps remove toxins from the body

One of the benefits is that it will flush the lymphatic system, which removes toxins from the body. Toxins build up around the joints when they are stimulated through a massage. This allows the lymphatic system to get rid of the toxins. If the lymphatic system is stimulated during the massage, it will drain the toxins faster. This improves recovery time and helps prevent lymphedema or edema.

A combination of massage techniques

This type of massage is more than a single type of massage. This is to create the best chiropractic sports massage for the individual. It can consist of a combination of:

• Cross-fiber massage
• Trigger point massage
• Compression massage
• Deep Swedish massage

What to expect

If new to a chiropractic sports massage, there will be a little soreness for up to 48 hours afterward. There might also be a thirsty or weak feeling as the body works to remove toxins and begin the healing process. Taking a hot bath/shower and keeping the body hydrated will help the process.

The difference between a sports and deep tissue massage

If experiencing knots in the muscles, a deep tissue massage could be the best option. This type of massage is designed to untangle knots, tightness, and soreness from a set of muscles caused by overexertion. However, a deep tissue massage could be part of the chiropractic sports massage treatment plan.

Massage time

A chiropractic sports massage can last about an hour, but it could be a short 30-minute session for those who have already undergone the initial treatment and are getting regular therapy. Everyone is different; individuals should discuss which session type works better for them with the massage therapist or chiropractor. Our chiropractor and physical therapy team are highly skilled professionals at addressing the source of pain and using various techniques to help heal the body. A chiropractor can also advise on exercise, stretching programs, and diet to help improve performance and help to prevent further and new injury/s.

InBody

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Weight loss leveling off is normal

Everyone goes through weight loss plateaus. In a review published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, researchers found that individuals tend to level off around the 6-month mark. The trials assessed eight different types of weight-loss programs that included:

• Diet alone
• Diet and exercise
• Exercise alone
• Meal replacement
• Very-low-energy diet
• Weight-loss medication
• Advice alone

No matter what strategy is being utilized, every individual will hit a plateau. It’s easy to become fixated on the result. Instead, focus on the journey.

References

Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet. American Massage Therapy Association. www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/economic_industry-fact-sheet.html?src=navdropdown. Released February 2017. Accessed May 17, 2017.