As an active athlete, you generally require a Sports Massage before and after the game to relieve muscle stiffness and joint pain. Sports Massage as a discipline is meant to prevent you from suffering an injury when in the field and also to promote healing in case the injury has happened.
The sports massage experts are trained in different techniques that they can use to help you to achieve muscular and joint relaxation. In Brunswick Heads, for example, the therapists are well versed with both the modern and traditional sports massage therapies.
Sometimes, the expert may not be near or maybe you feel that it’s expensive to have the session on a regular basis. This is the time that you should try a few of the techniques on your own.
For inspiration, here are 4 DIY sports massage Brunswick Heads techniques that you should be familiar with:
1. Compression Movements
This technique works best on the quadriceps. It helps to loosen the stiff muscles and prevent soreness, especially after an intense workout. To do the compression movements, you should:
• Use your palm to compress the tensed quadriceps as you make an up-and-down movement.
• Repeat the movements several times until you feel relaxed.
2. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
This is a stretching type of DIY Sports Massage that enhances muscular flexibility and motion. The technique suits large muscles like the quadriceps and the hamstring. You are required to:
• Apply oil to your fingers and stretch the tensed muscles to their limit points.
• Hold the endpoints for 6 seconds each time you do the stretching.
3. Jostling
This is one of the easiest DIY Sports Massage to do. It’s a relaxation massage that suits the hamstrings and triceps. You are required:
• Grip the tired muscles with one hand.
• Firmly shake them for 10 seconds or more
4. Cross-Fiber Stroke
This technique is ideal for relieving a rigid and painful groin. To do the technique:
• Firmly press and rub the groin with your thumb.
• Do it in a sweeping manner for a few rounds until you feel relaxed.
These 4 DIY techniques are easy to do and convenient to try at home. As a general precaution, never apply the techniques on bruised areas, cuts, swollen joints, muscle tears, broken bones, and painful strains. This is because massage promotes heat by enhancing blood flow to the tissues and massaging an already inflamed area will aggravate rather than health the injury. In case you are unable to do any of them or they don’t work, then you should visit therapists specializing in sports massage services in Brunswick Heads to ask for professional help.