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