They are ones who run the court and the field. They can ace both the scoreboard and academics. And most importantly, they need a soothing and relaxing time to ease both their minds and their worn-out bodies for extensive training and constant learning. They are the ones who represent the university in national and university-wide sports tournaments—student athletes! And what do these student athletes need? A massage specifically for them, sports massage!
It truly is as demanding as it sounds—you need to balance both academic responsibilities and extensive regular training, the pressure of carrying the university’s name on your shoulders every tournament, and the physical and mental exhaustion that comes with every class and training session. And, of course, the personal matters you have on top of all of that. You might want to give your body and mind a time to relax and take a breath. Setting a sports massage appointment might be the best option out there.
As The Wellness Hub defines, sports massage is a special type of massage made for athletes’ flexible and powerful bodies. It is often done on a regular basis to enhance the athletes’ performance, aid in speeding up the recovery process after a sports injury, and help in preventing any injuries from happening.
It has also been pointed out by All Body Kneads in an article titled Massage for Student Athletes that including sports massage therapy in the students’ regular training routine can help the students achieve the following:
- Speed up recovery time
- Heal overworked muscles
- Improve circulation
- Improve sleep for better performance
- Promote a healthy appreciation for self-care
- Counter balance overtraining
- Improve trouble spots
- Improve coordination
- Reduce stress
Similarly, an article by Hands Massage Spa titled Healing: Exploring the Benefits of Massage for College Athletes also stated that a sports massage for student-athletes not only helps in maintaining their physical greatness and condition, but also contributes to an enhanced performance, not only in sports but in academics as well. Since this type of massage not only relieves physical stress and exhaustion, it also helps in fostering mental clarity and concentration, which is beneficial when it comes to the students’ academic performance.
It also helps the athletes handle and manage the pain and stress in a more holistic approach. This type of massage therapy also allows student-athletes to have a space for self-care and self-reflection, as it relaxes the mind, which often results in a mental ‘pause’, a step back from all the mental pressure both the academic and athletic journey has.
Taking time to improve our student-athletes’ physical condition and mind before a big game day is as crucial and significant as every point scored and trophies earned. Start making sports massage a part of your training routine!
PUP Intern, Raven Gabriel S. Cruz