By Rebecca Kordecki

Are you looking for that extra edge to take you to the next level competitively??? Sports Massage therapy may be your silver bullet. It has long since been known that circulatory massage (Swedish) has many benefits for the body. The reduction of muscles soreness, breakdown of muscular scar tissue, relaxation and stress reduction are the most common benefits of this style of massage therapy. These are wonderful benefits for the weekend warrior but for the female/male fitness athlete our bodies are put through the ringer on a daily basis and the treatment modalities to ensure proper muscle recovery and preventative maintenance of our athletic temples requires a bit more specific massage therapy, known as sports massage and or deep tissue therapy. With every training session we demand our bodies explode quickly, our muscles stretch through full ranges of motion, and hope we have the strength and speed to complete our workouts with the heart of a warrior. In most cases, we will be able to do this type of training successfully time and time again because our bodies have acclimated to our training demands and we can continue to push ourselves effectively. Eventually though, the body reaches its limit, muscularly, energetically and explosively...at that moment in time we may unfortunately sustain a career halting injury or a chronic recurring injury. Each of us at one point in our athletic pursuits has or will have a sports related injury and we all know what it feels like to want to be out there training mentally but physically the body has just shut down. ENTER sports massage therapy....

Among the most common benefits are:

PRIMARY BENEFITS:

1.IMPROVED FLUID CIRCULATION - blood and lymph circulation are probably the most notable effects of classic Western massage.

2.MUSCULAR RELAXATION - hypertonic muscle tissue returns to normal muscle tone which results in reduced muscular tension so we may capitalize on our total muscle strength.

3.GENERAL RELAXATION - mind-body connection is relaxed thus allowing the heart rate to slow, less oxygen consumption needed and general calmness in the body which allows more focus to go towards an effective and concentrated workout session.

4.FORMATION OF STRONG MOBILE SCAR TISSUE - deep transverse frictions help produce a scar with more paralled fiber arrangement and fewer transverse connections that limit movement. This translates to more mobility in and around an otherwise limited previous muscular injury.

5. DEACTIVATION OF TRIGGER POINTS - regular massage increases range of motion around these areas, and strengthens the maximum contractile force of an affected muscle and reduces tension in surrounding muscle tissue.

SECONDARY BENEFITS:

1.FASTER RECOVERY-reduction of muscle soreness and stiffness caused by the buildup of metabolites, relaxation and lengthening of tight muscles, and the acceleration and healing of damaged muscle tissue. This translates to quicker return to TRAINING!!!

2. RETURN OF ENERGY- improving fluid circulation which allows us to conserve energy and prevent energy depletion through muscular and general relaxation in tissues, and increasing mental alertness and clarity thus allowing quicker response times.

3. NORMAL RANGE OF MOTION - reducting scar tissue and adhesions, and lessening the thickening process of connective tissue and trigger points, which leads to greater range of motion in muscles and around joints.

These are just a few of the major benefits massage can provide but as you can see massage really can be the key to a healthy, strong, injury-free body. I don't know about you guys, but with each passing event I enter, the competition continues to get better and better and I look for any possible way to have an edge over the rest of my competitors...SPORTS MASSAGE can give you that edge... The bonus is that it FEELS GOOD also!

For more information on the benefits of sports massage therapy or to schedule a session...Call MOBILE FITNESS & MASSAGE (310) 804-3226 or E-Mail Runinwyld@aol.com. We are a bi-coastal company servicing the Orlando, Tampa and Los Angeles areas. Private sessions as well as on site sessions provided. Rates to be disclosed upon contact.