| We know that not everyone has the physical and | | | | onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is lessened |
| mental talents needed to become a professional | | | | through massage as well. In the end, treatment |
| athlete. So what's the next best thing? Why, | | | | via sports massage allows the athlete to gain |
| sports jobs that constantly bring you into contact | | | | better flexibility and posture. |
| with professional athletes, of course. And one of | | | | Where can sports massage therapists be |
| the most necessary of sports jobs is being a | | | | employed? |
| massage therapist for professional athletes. | | | | Since sports massage is needed by both |
| Why become a massage therapist? | | | | recreational and professional athletes, sports jobs |
| Though it does not carry the same prestige that | | | | like that of sports massage therapists are offered |
| a professional athlete may enjoy, being a sports | | | | in both recreational and professional sports |
| massage therapist is still an important job that no | | | | venues. You can find work in local gyms and |
| sports team can do without. No serious | | | | community sports centers if you target |
| professional athlete can survive the rigors of | | | | recreational athletes for your service. If you |
| regular sports competition if he lacks the services | | | | favor working with professional athletes, you |
| of a good sports massage therapist. | | | | might want to apply with teams affiliated with |
| Why is sports massage needed by athletes? | | | | professional sports organizations. If you get really, |
| A sports massage therapist can aid athletes who | | | | really lucky (or just have good networking skills) |
| are going through overcompensation and | | | | you might be able to find work with a particular |
| adaptation. Simply put, overcompensation is when | | | | professional sports athlete as part of his personal |
| the athlete has recently undergone stress | | | | care team. |
| overload (a usual occurrence in regular training and | | | | What other services does a massage therapist |
| sports competition proper) so he | | | | provide? |
| overcompensates so that he will be prepared for | | | | Aside from massage, a massage therapist might |
| the same or higher level of stress in the future. | | | | also help the professional athlete with the |
| Adaptation is when the athlete is specially trained | | | | treatment and management of sports injuries, |
| in coping with a certain type of stress. For | | | | exercise rehabilitation and therapy, and helping plan |
| example, a sprinter is used to running in short | | | | the sports nutrition program of the professional |
| bursts over short distances so he needs to adapt | | | | athlete. |
| to that. | | | | The advances in the 20th century as far as |
| A sports massage therapist will manipulate soft | | | | sports medicine is concerned have helped foster |
| tissue (such as the hamstrings of a sprinter) prior | | | | demand for sports massage therapists as one of |
| to and after the exercise so that the athlete can | | | | the more valued sports jobs. Of course, you may |
| experience less muscle tension and pain. Another | | | | need to train for this position before you can be |
| benefit is that waste products can be eliminated | | | | considered by a professional sports organization, |
| from the body of the athlete, especially via the | | | | but it promises to be a great type of job (if you |
| lymphatic system because of massage. Delayed | | | | enjoy working with athletes. |