The Power of Sports Massage Therapy in Therapeutic Massage Spas in Blaine

The Power of Sports Massage Therapy in Therapeutic Massage Spas in Blaine

It has long been acknowledged in the world of sports and fitness that sports massage therapy is not only effective but crucial for the well being of athletes and other sports and fitness buffs. What many may not know is that the power of sports massage therapy may be rooted in the fact that it was first developed for horses by Jack Meagher who is known not only as the father of human sports massage therapy but also the father of equine sports massage therapy. Today, anyone can avail of sports massage therapy at therapeutic massage spas that also offer reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy in Blaine, Anoka County, Minneapolis, St Paul MN.

Jack Meagher was born in 1924 in Gloucester. During World War II he became a medic and it was during this stint that he learned how to perform massage from a German prisoner of war. In the post war years he developed this skill with formal training at the Massachusetts School of Physical Therapy and the Columbia Institute in Philadelphia. Meagher, therefore, had ample training for massage for humans. In 1970, however, he had an opportunity to apply this knowledge on a horse when a friend brought him a lame quarter horse for treatment. That was the start of his career in equine massage.

Jack Meagher later went on to become the official masseur for the U. S. Olympic Equestrian Team. His responsibilities covered sports massage therapy for the riders and their horses. Soon his clientele began to expand with athletes from other sports. His sports massage therapy sessions were held at the YMCA.

The sports massage therapy developed by Meagher was described as a combination of Shiatsu and Swedish massage. The theory behind it is that all types of athletic movement in every sport can be boiled down to twelve basic body postures. Each sport, however, uses a specific combination of these postures. Each sport, therefore, uses muscles in specific ways that can be predicted. Meagher's sports massage therapy uses this knowledge to be able to properly prepare the body for the type of sport it is engaged in. This way, the risk of injury is minimized while performance is maximized.

Meagher's sports massage therapy is also psychologically beneficial to athletes. It raises endorphins, diminishes anxiety and gives a feeling of wellbeing that aids in confidence building. It also invigorates and increases levels of energy.

Sports massage therapy has the ability to stretch muscles and tissues beyond the capabilities of mere stretching exercises. Through sports massage therapy, muscles and tissues can be stretched both lengthwise and sideways. The fascia that binds the muscles can be stretched as well.

Sports massage therapy is also useful in helping muscles recover better and faster after each game or hard training. It restores elasticity and prevents tissues from hardening, even breaking down old scar tissue that had formed from old injuries and traumas. It also boosts oxygenation of muscles and tissues, improving nutritional absorption and flushing out waste products. It therefore helps in treating any sports injuries and in easing their pain.

Whether you engage actively in sports or you are what is commonly referred to as a weekend warrior in your fitness regimen, you can take full advantage of the many benefits of sports massage therapy in order to boost your performance to championship levels. Just make sure you get authentic sports massage therapy from a professionally trained massage therapist at a therapeutic massage spa that also provides the various other massage modalities such as reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy in Blaine, Anoka County, Minneapolis, St Paul MN.