3 Considerations Before You Get Your First Sports Massage
 

What To Think About Before Getting Your First Sports Massage

Massages are a great way to improve overall health and well-being, but they can also be helpful for athletes and active people. When you go in for a massage, you might not know the difference between a regular massage and a sports massage. A regular massage is typically more relaxing, while a sports massage focuses on relieving tension and pain in specific areas that are commonly used when playing sports. If you’re going to be getting regular massages, it’s important to understand the difference so that you can get the most out of each session.
 

If you’re an athlete, or if you just enjoy staying active, you may have considered getting a sports massage. Sports massages are different from other types of massages in that they focus specifically on the muscles used during athletic activity. If you’re thinking about getting your first sports massage, there are three things you should keep in mind:
 

1. Your goals about getting a sports massage.

Are you looking for relief from pain or tension? Are you hoping to improve flexibility or movement? Or are you wanting to speed up recovery after an injury? Knowing what your goals are will help your therapist give you the best possible massage. Sports massages can be helpful in all of these situations, but they’re not always necessary. If you’re recovering from an injury, however, sports massage can play an important role in your rehabilitation process. Sports massages can help reduce muscle tension and inflammation, increase blood flow and circulation, and promote healing. So, before you get your first sports massage, ask yourself what you hope to achieve from the experience. If you’re not sure, talk to your therapist, they can help you figure out what goals are best for you.
 

2. Your massage therapist’s qualifications.

Not all massage therapists are created equal. To get the most out of your sports massage, it’s important to find a therapist who has experience and knowledge in treating athletes. Many therapists have training specifically in sports massage, but not all of them do. If you’re not sure whether or not your therapist has the right qualifications, ask them before making an appointment. If you want to be extra sure that you’re getting the best possible treatment, look for a therapist who is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). This board sets standards for quality therapeutic massage and bodywork practices, so certification means that your therapist has met these standards. Certification is not required, but it’s a good indication that your therapist knows what they’re doing and can give you the best possible massage.
 

3. Your sports massage schedule.

Just like with any other type of massage, the more often you get a sports massage, the better. If you’re an athlete, or if you just enjoy being active, getting a sports massage once a month or so can help keep your muscles healthy and tension-free. However, if you’re recovering from an injury, you may need to increase that frequency to twice a week or more. Talk to your therapist about what schedule is best for you, and be sure to stick to it. Missing appointments will only set back your progress.
 

Whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who does some form of physical activity regularly, it can be beneficial to get a sports massage from time to time. If this is something new for you and you want help deciding if getting one would fit your goals, qualifications, or schedule, call us today. Our team will work with you to create the perfect plan that ensures your needs are met to increase performance and reduce pain while increasing mobility. We’ve provided three considerations before going ahead with your first experience with a sports massage therapist based on what we know about how people think when they need help making decisions like these.