As you know, water is the most important nutrient in life as it has many essential functions including:
- Regulating body temperature
- Lubricating joints
- Transporting nutrients and waste products
Furthermore, water is particularly important when it comes to exercise. Consuming adequate volumes of water is essential for comfort, safety and performance. Many athletes have sports massages to help with recovery and performance - with water playing a vital role.
When we exercise and burn calories (from various sources of energy), we create metabolic waste. Metabolic waste is a by-product of muscle contraction. When the levels of metabolic waste increase through high exercise intensity and reach a certain point, our bodies create lactic acid.
Lactic acid and metabolic waste can cause blockages in our body which create neural disturbances at a cellular and sarcoplasmic level. Filaments in our sarcomeres cannot slide across as they should, they become blocked and sticky. When this process takes place, toxins are produced in addition to other acidic matter within the muscle – this then creates tightened and shortened muscles that fail to function properly.
Sports massage therapists can use a number of techniques to help release tight muscles and unwind the restrictions in the muscles fascia. By releasing tight muscles, we allow the sliding filaments within the muscle to continue contracting, making for better function of the body and its locomotive system.
When we exercise, metabolic waste is stored within the muscular skeletal system. By using massage, we can help to flush out toxins within the lactic acid and metabolic waste into our body’s natural drainage ducts like the Lymphatic System. Massage is also brilliant for stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which brings about relaxation and equilibrium. When we train, our body creates free radicals and raises cortisol levels; this has an opposing and negative effect on the positive side effects of exercise.
To help remove these toxins from the body, we require water. This is because water helps our kidneys and other organs to process the substances which move through the body on a regular basis. During a massage treatment, lots of toxins are released, so following a session; you need to flush these toxins out. Also, drinking water before a massage makes it easier for the massage therapist to perform deep work by hydrating the muscles so that they are easier to manipulate.
To book a Sports Massage with the Physio and Rehab Services please call 0208 8240 4070 or email
sportandhealthservices@stmarys.ac.uk . Appointments are available:
Mon 10:00am-5:00pm
Tue 10:00am-7:00pm
Wed 1:00pm-7:00pm
Thu 10:00am-7:00pm
Fri 10:00am-5:00pm
