Thai massages provide many benefits for people from all walks of life. As an athlete, you push your body to its limits. Whether you run, swim, or play a team sport, it’s important to plan ways to help your body recover after your training sessions and competitions. Keep reading as the experts at Baiboon Thai Massage, the Thai sports massage and spa North Park residents trust to enhance their athletic performance and recovery, explore the benefits of a Thai massage so you know when to schedule one into your training plan.
Increase Range of Motion
One of the ways a Thai massage differs from traditional Western types is that you’ll be actively involved in the sessions. Instead of having you lie flat on a table, your practitioner will assist you with moving through a variety of different poses. Each pose is selected to stretch your body gently past its normal levels of flexibility. Similar to stretching before a workout, each massage session increases your flexibility so you have a better range of motion during your athletic activities.
Decrease the Risk of Injuries
With a better range of motion, you’ll be less likely to get injured. Since a Thai massage is tailored to fit each person’s specific needs, you can talk to your practitioner about the parts of your body that tend to be stiff. For instance, your practitioner will know to focus more on your legs if you run marathons. Meanwhile, a Thai massage can involve increasing the focus on the upper body for people who use their back and arms more while competing in sports. As you increase your flexibility, it’ll become less likely that you’ll throw out a shoulder or sprain an ankle. If you do experience mild muscle soreness or strain, let your practitioner know. The practitioner can apply gentle pressure to the area and use special balms that reduce muscle pain.
Stimulate Blood Flow through the Body
Athletes quickly learn that increasing blood flow through the body improves their skills in multiple ways. After your Thai massage, you’ll have more oxygenated blood flowing to your extremities. This can help your body build stronger muscles after a heavy workout. The increased blood flow can also counteract any soreness that develops after your training sessions. Being able to recover faster from your workouts is ideal when you’re participating in heavy training for upcoming competitions.
Reduce Stress
Competing is what drives happiness as an athlete. But you may also struggle with the mental effects of being in high-pressure situations. If you find you’re prone to the effects of stress, a Thai massage can help you clear your head. Having a practitioner apply pressure to painful touch points on your body also helps you feel more relaxed. Your Thai massage practitioner will also encourage you to use deep breathing during the movements, which also boosts your mental health. Depending on your needs, you can also request your practitioner use specific oils and balms that have a soothing effect on your spirit.
Are you ready to enhance your athletic performance and speed up recovery? Book an appointment at Baiboon Thai Massage in North Park today and experience the benefits firsthand. Contact us now to schedule your session and keep your body in peak condition!
