The full body massage covers the front and back of the body, including the arms, and lasts around 60-90 minutes. A partial massage, i.e., only legs or back, is correspondingly shorter at around 20-45 minutes. Depending on the customer's wishes and the type of treatment, the massage can be used daily.
We will give you an insight into how long it takes to massage some parts of the body and also the areas you can carry out sports massage. Finally, we will recommend a center to get thebest sports massage in NYC.
Areas to Massage
In sports massage, the following body areas are mainly massaged:
- Leg muscles global (front and back, hamstrings and calves)
- Arm muscles (lower and upper arm), including the shoulder area
- Global back (gluteal – lumbar – thoracic – shoulder girdle)
We can use all techniques of classic massage for this. Arnica oils have proven themselves due to their tissue-relaxing and blood circulation-promoting effects.
The massage treatment always begins with strokes. This is followed by kneading, rubbing, or tapping. Depending on the goal, either slowly and with little pressure - this has a relaxing effect, or quickly with a lot of pressure - this has a toning effect. The massage session always ends with strokes.
Areas of application for a sports massage:
- Regeneration massage after running training or running competitions
- Regeneration after long bike rides or mountain biking
- Regenerative massage after strength training in the gym
- Supplementary service after personal, fitness, and strength training
- Team support in team sports (all disciplines such as football, handball, volleyball, basketball, etc.)
- Preparing for specific sports and strength or endurance competitions
- As a fixed module in personal training for the purpose of stress reduction or stress management
The Three Effects of Sports Massage
Every athlete can benefit from the effects of a sports massage. Basically, three types can be distinguished: mechanical, biochemical, and reflex.
The mechanical effect is created by the dynamic movement of the fabrics towards each other, for example, with friction and kneading. During the final stroking, blood circulation and lymphatic flow are sustainably promoted.
On the other hand, the release of inflammatory mediators is a biochemical effect of massage. These substances are responsible for increasing tissue blood flow and substance exchange and, thus, for improved regeneration. In addition, the biochemical effect leads to an increase in endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and androgens (growth hormones). This cocktail helps repair muscle structures and shorten muscle soreness.
Reflective effects arise via the receptors of the nervous system. Two effective aspects should be mentioned from the point of view of sports massage. The two aspects are the regulation of muscle tension via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and the myostatic reflexes via rhythmic stretching and compression of the muscle spindles.
Additional effects are created via the limbic system because, above that, for example, a "feeling of relaxation" sets in with a lasting reduction in tone. Stronger and more intensive techniques, such as kneading or tapping, create a reflective "feeling of activity" with an increase in tone. Our brain reduces the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This reduction in stress hormones sustainably improves collagen synthesis and minimizes catabolic processes.
In conclusion
It can be said that sports massages should be technically mastered. Anyone who recognizes the benefits of sports massage for themselves and their customers and would like to offer this service professionally should be educated and trained in this field. This is why we recommend you use the services of Elite Healers Sports Massage, which is filled with experts to get the best massage in NYC.