How Can Massage Improve Your Athletic Performance?
Body massage has been practiced as a form of physical therapy since 3000 years ago. It was part of the Hindu’s Ayurveda or “life health” medical system and has been passed through generations as a means to relieve pain, heal injuries, and even prevent or cure illnesses. Some historians even claim that it started in Ancient China 4700 years ago.
Over time, massage therapy has taken different forms, some of the old styles remained, and new techniques were also developed to cater to specific needs. Included in those newly developed techniques are athletic massages for dancers and sports enthusiasts.
Discover the benefits of massage for your pro cheer career and the types you should have on your next visit to the spa.
The Benefits of Massage for Pro Cheerleaders and Dancers
1. Body relaxation
Getting a massage activates our parasympathetic nervous system - the part of our nervous system that promotes rest and relaxation. During a relaxed state, our focus is enhanced which increases our performance for the next physical activity. It is highly recommended that you get a massage the day or right before the auditions, arena performance, and workout session.
2. Improves flexibility
Massage increases the blood flow to our muscle tissues and fascia, making joint fibers more elastic for full ranged movements. As a result, you can kick higher, do splits with minimum effort, and properly execute the most difficult yet graceful dance moves.
3. Alleviate DOMS symptoms
Since massage increases blood flow, it also hastens the recovery of muscles from inflammation caused by strenuous workout sessions. Not only that, but it enhances the production of mitochondria which supply energy for biochemical reactions. This helps in significantly reducing the pain of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
The Best Types of Massages for Pro Cheer and Dance Athletes
1. Compression massage
This massage type involves pressing specific areas of your body using palms or knuckles depending on which sport or activity you’ll perform. For example, before you’re going out for a run, a compression massage on your legs and thighs will arm up the muscle tissues on these areas to prevent cramps.
After that, doing the same massage on the same areas will release tension and reduce the discomfort of the soreness from your run.
2. Deep Swedish massage
Similar to compression massages, deep-tissue Swedish massages also target specific muscle points. The difference is that the massage therapist will mostly use their fingertips and finger knuckles to reach the deepest muscle fibers of your body as foam rolling does. This massage type is the best for a post-workout as it’s one of the most effective techniques to alleviate intense muscle soreness.
3. Shiatsu massage
Image source: AMCHARA
The Shiatsu type comes from Ancient Chinese massage techniques. Instead of just pressing your body like the two previously mentioned techniques, Shiatsu focuses more on the stretching, mobilization, and manipulation of your joints and muscles. Getting this type of massage is highly recommended for members of the pro cheer community who are looking to improve flexibility.
You can perform pressure massage on your own at home but you won’t be able to target other muscles which is why it’s best to contact your local spa for professional help. Be sure to schedule a session on more relaxed days like the weekends.
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