It’s not just the coaches and trainers helping athletes from the sidelines anymore, massage therapists are now joining the ranks. An increasing number of professional sports teams are adding a massage therapist to the payroll. What’s the benefit to having a trained masseuse on hand to treat an athlete? Here’s a quick look at a few reasons.
Improved Recovery Time
Sports are physical, there’s no way around it. At some point during an athlete’s career, they’re going to be injured. From pulled muscles to broken bones, any injury can take a player away from the game. A massage therapist can ease the strained throwing arm of a pitcher or improve blood flow in the shoulders of a linebacker. Studies show these kinds of treatments can improve recovery time and get the athlete back to the field faster.
Relaxation
If there were a big game on the line, any coach would want his or her players relaxed. Massage is a great way to unwind before a game. Rather than letting adrenaline build up in the muscles and joints, a soothing Swedish massage can keep an athlete limber going into the game.
Specialized Education
A massage therapist can now specialize in sports massage, which means the team benefits from the therapist’s detailed knowledge. They know how to treat injuries specific to athletes.
Sports massage isn’t just for multi-million dollar pro athletes, any athlete can seek the help of a trained therapist to help with athletic performance.