I am often asked what is sports massage? Sports massage is the queen of technique combinations, encompassing anything from varied pressure and speed, stretching and myofascial release, along with the use of arnica oil, products like Biofreeze and essential oils for muscular pain relief. Sports massage may use heat or cold packs or a combination of both.
What causes are muscles to hurt so badly?
Our muscles work under two conditions: anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (with oxygen). Our bodies prefer to work under aerobic conditions where we have plenty of oxygen feeding our muscles. When our bodies require oxygen faster than it is delivered working musc7les generate energy anaerobically. The byproduct of anaerobic exercise is lactic acid. The more quickly lactic acid is produced the more quickly our muscles burn and fatigue. When skiing or riding it is easy to stay in an anaerobic condition – we ride the chair lift up and ski/ride as fast as possible back down. Our bodies are not moving slow enough for aerobic energy conversion. Our muscles work at an oxygen deficit.
Muscle soreness experienced 24-48 hours later is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. This is due to small tears in the muscle and connective tissue resulting from eccentric contraction – lengthening muscle groups. For every muscle that is contracted, the opposing muscle eccentrically contracts. Skiing/riding strains muscle groups primarily due to the intensity in which we participate.
Why does sports massage work?
It is as simple as it sounds. Massage increases blood circulation bringing oxygen and fresh nutrients to muscles and removes metabolic waste. Oxygen and nutrients help repair damaged cells in our muscles which speeds muscle recovery. Massage in combination with drinking electrolytes and water will give you the best advantage to play it again the next day!
What causes are muscles to hurt so badly?
Our muscles work under two conditions: anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (with oxygen). Our bodies prefer to work under aerobic conditions where we have plenty of oxygen feeding our muscles. When our bodies require oxygen faster than it is delivered working musc7les generate energy anaerobically. The byproduct of anaerobic exercise is lactic acid. The more quickly lactic acid is produced the more quickly our muscles burn and fatigue. When skiing or riding it is easy to stay in an anaerobic condition – we ride the chair lift up and ski/ride as fast as possible back down. Our bodies are not moving slow enough for aerobic energy conversion. Our muscles work at an oxygen deficit.
Muscle soreness experienced 24-48 hours later is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. This is due to small tears in the muscle and connective tissue resulting from eccentric contraction – lengthening muscle groups. For every muscle that is contracted, the opposing muscle eccentrically contracts. Skiing/riding strains muscle groups primarily due to the intensity in which we participate.
Why does sports massage work?
It is as simple as it sounds. Massage increases blood circulation bringing oxygen and fresh nutrients to muscles and removes metabolic waste. Oxygen and nutrients help repair damaged cells in our muscles which speeds muscle recovery. Massage in combination with drinking electrolytes and water will give you the best advantage to play it again the next day!
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