For years, coaches, trainers and athletes alike have sworn by massage therapy. Now, as more and more supporting evidence has become available, their conclusions are proving to be valid. The most trusted and respected name in massage therapy, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), asserts that athletes, or those participating in exercise programs, can benefit from massage therapy. Alongside exercise, massage has been shown to enhance athletic performance, reduce muscle tension, increase the range of motion, reduce swelling, and improve exercise performance. These are some of the more apparent physical benefits. However, there are psychological and physiological benefits to massage and sports massage as well.

Denver Sports Massage Therapy: Improving Athletic Performance

Sports Massage: Psychological Effects

Any athlete knows that attitude, mindset, and focus are just as important as being physically prepared. Sports massage can provide an added boost to an athlete's psyche. During a massage, many athletes experience a relaxed state in which their heart rate lowers. Massage reduces anxiety, stress, and tension and encourages relaxation. During this process, the body releases increased levels of dopamine and serotonin and the levels of the stress hormone cortisol are reduced. This relaxed, hyper-focused state of mind is optimal for athletic performance as it trains the mind which is an asset on the field or during practice.

Life can get hectic, but that doesn’t mean that stress should get the best of you. There are plenty of small, simple changes you can make to your daily routine that will help put your mind at ease. We’ve created a list of five of our favorite suggestions for getting rid of daily stresses so you can go about your day stress-free.

5 Ways to Reduce Stress Aside From Massage Therapy

1. Pet an animal.

An increasing amount of schools and offices are realizing the stress-relief benefits that petting animals can have. Studies show that playing with or petting an animal increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, and decreases production of the stress hormone cortisol.

2. Start and end your day with calm.

Whether it’s practicing yoga, a hot cup of tea, or reading a book, whatever brings your peace of mind should be the first thing you do when you wake up and last thing you do before you go to bed. Make sure to set some time aside in the morning and evening for the little things that make you happy.

3. Don’t skip your lunch break.

Breaks are incredibly important in helping us keep our composure and reminding us to relax. While it’s easy to skip over your daily lunch break, try to resist the temptation. Your mind and body will thank you. Even five minutes of a time-out is enough to do the trick.

Between a hectic work schedule and busy personal life, it can be hard to find time for yourself. Taking some time to rest and relax is important for both mental and physical well-being, and can make a huge difference in the way you feel in your everyday life. Numerous studies have shown that taking some time to rest reduces high blood pressure and your risk of heart attacks, as well as lowering your chance of stroke. Here are five easy ways to help take better care of yourself every day.

5 Selfcare Tips to Reduce Stress

1. Do yoga or hit the gym in the morning.

If you’re always on the go or constantly thinking about all the things on your to-do list, yoga is a great way to force yourself to focus on the present moment and leave all other worries behind. Even thirty minutes of yoga in the morning can give your body and mind some much-needed care. Additionally, exercising in the morning has been directly linked to increased focus and mental capabilities.

2. Get more sleep.

Getting enough sleep is one of best ways to take better care of your body and can make a huge difference in your health and well-being. In fact, it’s been proven that getting enough sleep at night prevents migraines and headaches, reduces your risk of heart disease, and promotes healthy and rejuvenated skin. Most adults need around eight hours of sleep a night, so make it your goal to get at least seven a night.

3. Keep a journal.

Keeping track of your thoughts is extremely helpful for increasing levels of mental health and well-being. Taking a few minutes to write down concerns, worries, and excitements help clear these thoughts from your mind, allowing for time to focus and reflect. Try keeping a journal by your bed so you can jot down a few thoughts each night before you go to sleep.

Chiropractic care, defined by the American Chiropractic Association as “a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.” Chiropractic care is often sought out because of discomfort and relies on addressing underlying issues which are the cause of such pain. When coupled with massage therapy, chiropractic care can enhance the ways in which massage helps heal the body. Deep tissue massage therapy, commonly referred to as chiropractic massage, can provide maximum relief to a patient’s discomfort when used alongside a chiropractic adjustment. These two therapies are commonly combined because of the increased benefits offered by using both services concurrently.

Combining Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Adjustments

Should I Have A Massage Before or After My Chiropractic Adjustment?

When performed immediately after a chiropractic adjustment, the benefits of a massage are greatly enhanced. Receiving a chiropractic massage after an adjustment helps the body recover quicker, allowing nerves and muscles to align correctly more quickly than they would with an adjustment alone. It also helps to decrease soreness that some people experience after a chiropractic adjustment. When a massage is performed before an adjustment, muscles become more loose and relaxed, allowing for an easier adjustment. Range of motion is improved when deep tissue massage is used alongside chiropractic adjustments, as it allows for tightened muscles to stretch and relax.

When you're looking for a massage therapist in Denver, you may also be wondering what type of massage should you be looking for. There are many different massage techniques, so which one is the most beneficial for you?

The Differences Between Types of Massage Therapy

Denver Massage Therapist

Massages offer a variety of benefits for the body and mind, including pain and stress reduction and the elimination of muscle tension. Many studies have found massage to be beneficial in treating a variety of disorders and ailments, including anxiety, headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders, temporomandibular joint pain, and sports injuries. Additionally, massage provides an overall feeling of comfort and relaxation. There are many different types of massage therapies out there, so we’ve comprised a quick overview to help you determine which style is best for you.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage is a massage therapy which uses essential oils to focus on underlying issues. Most aromatherapy masseuses use a variety of oils to create relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing or other sensations throughout the body. Aromatherapy massage is especially beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or stress disorders.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage relaxes sore muscles and balances energy flow by placing warm, smooth stones on specific points of the body. The massage therapist will typically apply a light pressure on the stone to provide deeper tissue penetration and overall warmth. Hot stone massage is a great option for people who suffer from muscle tension but prefer gentler massages.

Does pain or restricted movement keep you from living the life you want? Sports injuries, household accidents, repetitive actions on the job, and tension from everyday stresses can cause problems that, too often, take up permanent residence in our bodies. Massage therapy can help relieve pain and, in combination with medical attention, help heal certain conditions and prevent their return.

What Can Massage Therapy Offer Me?

Stress Relief

Relaxation is one of the best-known antidotes for stress. Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook on life, and reduces your likelihood of injury and illness. Physical therapy can also relieve symptoms of conditions aggravated by anxiety such as asthma or insomnia. Because it relieves stress, relaxation massage is an excellent supportive therapy for people in psychological counseling or treatment for addiction.

Painful or Tight Muscle Relief

Deep tissue therapy can relieve many types of muscle tightness, from short-term muscle cramp to habitually clenched jaw or tight shoulders. Massage therapy acts directly on your muscles with stretching and kneading motions. It also stimulates the nervous system to instruct muscles to relax even more. Treatment also flushes muscles of built-up waste products that can make you sore after vigorous exercise.

Heal Injuries

Massage therapy can help heal injuries such as tendonitis that develop over time, as well as ligament sprains or muscle strains caused by accidents. Deep tissue work reduces inflammation by increasing circulation, which removes waste products and brings nutrition to injured cells.