For most people, the benefits of frequent exercise cannot be overstated. From increasing your heart health, to improving memory function and protecting against chronic illnesses, engaging in a good workout a few times a week is one of the best things you can do to improve your quality of life.
However if you’re an athlete or a fitness enthusiast, you are likely putting frequent strain on your joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Over time, this increased load on your body can lead to chronic physical injuries, which undercuts the benefits of exercise and negatively impacts your sporting or fitness goals.
Such injuries require a different approach and the expert hand of a trained physiotherapist in Singapore. Utilise sports therapy, a treatment that can be tailored to help recovery, reduce swelling, and improve conditioning. In contrast, regular massage therapy is less area-specific and focuses more on stretching and minimising stiffness throughout the entire body.
How does sports massage therapy work?
At its core, sports massage therapy is about manual manipulation of muscles and joints. These movements, when performed by a qualified professional, help increase blood flow and flush out waste products such as lactic acid. Fluids and nutrients are then allowed to pass through, and get taken up by the muscles to aid in recovery.
Sports massage also helps stretch out bundles of muscle fibres in different directions. This step in the process is important for relieving any unwanted tension or pressure build-up and loosens muscles and soft tissues. Muscle tightness can both hinder performance and cause of long-term injury, especially when it comes to activities that involve sudden motions like sprinting or jumping. Hence, including sports massage as part of your overall fitness and training plan, can pay dividends in the future.
Breaking down scar tissue is another key component of getting a sports massage in Singapore. Scar tissue, usually formed due to previous injury or trauma, is made of collagen fibres which are less elastic than natural muscular tissues. Breaking down this scar tissue is done in various ways using different techniques under the sports massage framework. This is most useful for athletes and fitness enthusiasts recovering from injuries, or those who have recently undergone surgery and are looking to return to full fitness.
Other than the physical benefits, sports massage can also have significant physiological effects due to pain reduction and relaxation. This can help put athletes in a better mindset throughout their recovery phase.
Is sports massage therapy only for athletes?
While people who participate in strenuous, high-impact activities on a regular basis have the most to gain, anyone with injuries, chronic pain, or muscle aches can benefit from a sports massage in Singapore. Regular people, with more sedentary lifestyles, might find that sports massage has a profound impact on empowering quicker recovery from injuries and preventing injury recurrences as well.
The psychological and physiological effects of a good sports massage can also help non-athletes improve their mental health. The pain relief and relaxation that occurs during a massage, reduces anxiety, and invigorates the mind and body. The boost in circulation can also contribute to better sleep at night.
Before your first sports massage session at a physiotherapy clinic in Singapore, a consultation with a qualified therapist will be necessary. Physiotherapists are trained to work with you to figure out what your needs are and how your sports therapy plan can be customised to help you reach your fitness or exercise goals.
Sports massage therapy is geared towards helping those with physically demanding lifestyles. For athletes, it helps push them to reach greater heights while aiding in recovery and injury prevention. Additionally, the focus on specific muscle groups and the utilisation of techniques that relieve tension and improve circulation can also benefit regular non-athletes.
Looking for a good sports massage conducted by a trained physiotherapist in Singapore? Our Orchard physiotherapy centre and CBD physiotherapy centreis staffed by a highly professional and experienced team that’s ready to meet your needs.
Contact us today to set up a consultation session with one of our team members and find out how we can work together to provide you with an appropriate and effective sports therapy treatment plan.