Are you an avid athlete constantly challenging yourself physically? Do you enjoy exercising regularly, but find yourself experiencing recurring injuries? Or are you preparing for a major test of your physical abilities and need some support? A sports massage in Denver could greatly benefit your athleticism, improve your abilities for your competition, and reduce your risk of injury.

Sports massage — one of the specialty massage therapies that we offer in our downtown Denver office — is an effective therapeutic tool for athletes that suffer from sports-related injuries or are interested in improving their athletic performance, recovery speed, and maintaining their peak performance. Whether you’re a relentless runner, a spry swimmer, or a courageous climber, athletes can discover outstanding health benefits from sports massage in Denver.

Here are just a few reasons why a sports massage with Wayfare Wellness may be perfect for you.

Benefits of Sports Massage in Denver

Evidence-based research has proven repeatedly that sports massage can have numerous health benefits for athletes, and non-athletes when needed. These could be psychological or physiological benefits. Through research, observation, and client testimonials, we have found that sports massage can result in:

• Improved range of motion in joints and muscles

• Increased flexibility and soft tissue function

• Improved sleep and sense of well-being

• Reduced tension in muscles and joints

• Reduced swelling and onset muscle soreness

• Prevention of further injuries

If you feel any of these benefits are what you need to improve your athleticism, a sports massage in Denver may be exactly what you need.

Denver Sports Massage Meets Your Athletic Needs

No athlete will be the same as the next. Each one will be working towards different goals in different sports and, of course, will have different injuries.

Wayfare Wellness looks at your sports massage therapy through one of four different lenses:

• Pre-Event - Aimed at improving your muscle function and range 7-2 days before your athletic event.

• Post-Event - Reduce your recovery time after a large athletic event.

• Restorative - For those who train on a daily basis to support the process of building regular muscle.

• Rehabilitative - Specifically for those who have suffered injuries and are seeking pain alleviation.

Our massage therapist, Sarah Monreal, will build a specific sports massage plan, based on your therapy goals and specific sport regimen, relying on one, or a combination, of these methods. We dive more into these different sports massage approaches in another blog post.

Sports massage is a type of therapy that many athletes don’t know to take advantage of. It is unique not necessarily in its technique, but rather in its intention. Sports massage in Denver combines a variety of modalities to target the specific physical and biomechanical needs of athletes. Should you be taking advantage of sports massage therapy?

What to Expect from Sports Massage in Denver

What Makes Sports Massage Different?

The techniques used to perform a sports massage are not technically different than those used to perform myofascial massage, deep tissue massage, or another type of massage that you may be more familiar with. Where the intent of, say, a deep tissue massage is to reduce muscle tension and relieve related pain, the intent of using the deep tissue technique in a sports massage is to relieve tension while increasing range of motion and improving soft tissue function.

Sports Massage In Denver Can Be Separated Into Four Categories

Sports massage in Denver can be divided based on the specific goal an athlete wishes to achieve through the massage. We can look at these goals through one of four lenses: pre-event massage, post-event massage, restorative therapy, or rehabilitative therapy. Let’s talk about each of these types of sports massage.

Pre-Event

An athlete experienced in massage therapy can benefit from sports massage in a seven to two day window prior to a major event. Sports massage can be utilized in preparation for an event because the targeted techniques can improve soft tissue function, restore range of motion, reduce soreness or tightness related to training, and lessen fatigue and tension. All of these factors can decrease your performance, so a sports massage can help you reach your peak abilities prior to a big event.

Post-Event

For athletes that have just a few major events that they train long durations for, post-event sports massage can be exponentially beneficial in reducing the recovery time. Experienced athletes can take advantage of a post-event sports massage anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours after an event, while less experienced athletes may find them too sore immediately after an event to benefit from a massage. If that describes your post-event experience, you may want to wait up to three or four days after an event so that your body doesn’t resist the therapeutic treatment.

Summer means longer days and higher temperatures. It's also time for fun in the sun with tons of relaxation – right? Wrong! While you're soaking up the sun, your body is often the most active it has been all year long. While your mind might be at ease, your body certainly is not. Let's talk about how a regular massage can help you enjoy your summer.

Massage Therapy: 4 Reasons to Get a Summer Massage

Summer Means More Activity

Between days at the pool, trips to the park, exploring during vacation, and getting all that yard work done, you are constantly in motion when the weather allows. You may even be adding to that by picking up that long abandoned tennis racket or lacing up those running shoes to take advantage of the sunny skies. All of this is great for the mind, body, and soul, it can also put a beating on your body. That's where massage therapy comes in.

Massage Can Increase Your Mobility

In order to enjoy all of those fun, summertime activities, your body has to be taken care of. Regular massage therapy throughout the summer can help increase the mobility of your joints, as well as help your body recover from pain or soreness faster. When you don't have to worry about aches and pains, you can enjoy your summer.

Heat And Humidity Mean Swelling

The increased heat and humidity of summertime often lead to swelling and discomfort because your body is holding on to the fluids you accumulate. It's hard to enjoy that bikini and poolside glow when your joints feel puffy and swollen. Getting regular massages helps you combat the heat and humidity by increasing blood flow to reduce swelling and make all that movement you're doing much more comfortable.