The Benefits of Massage Therapy for an Athlete
It's a given that athletes depend on their bodies; however, human bodies aren't always dependable. Telling an athlete to sit still when they are injured or merely worn out is like talking to a brick wall; as soon as you turn your head, they'll be banging out a few "easy" reps. But if you tell an athlete that getting a massage will help with their troubles and that if they trade an hour practicing for an hour on the massage table, they're likely to be all ears.
Massage therapy is an important part of an athlete's wellness toolkit and should be part of a general training plan. For more on the benefits of massage, read on:
Decrease in anxiety. Athletes can benefit from this before, during and after an event. It can help them to relax and clear their mind. Having a clear mind can help them focus on their performance.
Enhances well-being and mental focus. As an athlete, it’s important to take a moment to relax, stay focused and keep your goal in mind. If your mind is not on the goal, an injury could occur.
Improves sleep. Rest and recovery! Sleep allows an athlete to be well rested for an event. Tell me the last time you felt PERFECT when you didn’t have enough sleep? Now imagine being an athlete without enough sleep and having to do an Olympic swim that day; they wouldn’t be 100% focused!
Identify areas of soreness and can be addressed before a possibly injury can occur. Athletes can experience sore muscles after a hard practice. Getting a massage after an event can flush out the lactic acid buildup that could occur and allow the tissues to heal faster.
Help with lactic acid build up. Athletes can be inhibited by the lactic acid buildup. Their muscles hurt, but they keep pushing through because they are athletes! Massages will allow that lactic acid to be re-circulated back through the body to get rid of as a waste product.
Decrease muscle cramps and spasms. Athletes sometimes can be hit with a muscle cramp or spasm. Manually, as massage therapists, we can apply compression to help subside a muscle cramp or spasm.
Increase in local circulation. The more healthy blood to a muscle, the faster it can help repair itself. Muscles like oxygen; it allows them to heal and function properly.
Every athlete benefits from massage therapy in different ways. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Olympic athlete David Plummer to ask him how he enjoys and benefits from massage therapy.
Q: In your Dreamfuel interview you mention that you have been working with a massage therapist to help with recovery. When do you find you get the best results from massage therapy? After events? During events?
A: I really enjoy working with a massage therapist after a race, but for me,I think it helps more after a really heavy work week. Being able to recover is key to being able to continue a high intensity program (especially as I get older).
Q: As an athlete, how often do you receive massage therapy? And how often do you feel is necessary for you?
A: I try and get work done every few weeks when it is really necessary.
Q: Do you request specific work to achieve specific results?
A: Yes. Mainly to relieve joint pain or fatigue brought on by a heavy weight routine.
Q: How do you feel massage therapy helps you? For example: Do you feel flexible? Does it allow a sore muscle to relax?
A: I feel like it relieves pain, reduces soreness and makes me feel more open and less tight, especially through my back and shoulders.
I personally have worked with elite athletes for the past 5 years (and counting) at the Iron Man Triathlon in Lake Placid, NY. I have also worked at several local 5K’s in New York Capital Region. I hope to keep expanding my passion for athletes and the benefits I have witnessed with massage therapy. I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist who is educating our future massage therapist at Mildred Elley College in Albany, NY. I teach my sport massage students that you will NEVER be able to tell an athlete to rest their muscles when they are sore or injured; however, you can be a resource to their overall maintenance in their athletic performance and/or healing process. A massage therapist can be a good addition to an athlete’s athletic training! Be ready because an athlete will not forget the massage therapist that helps their athletic career!
