Sports Massage Therapy for Athletes in 4th Street Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa 33607

Sports massage therapy is a recognized component of sports training. In fact, massage therapists are being trained by the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) to be able to set up sports massage teams for athletic events in the state. Athletes can avail of professional sports massage therapy in reputable massage clinics in 4th Street Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa 33607.

Sports massage therapy has been proven to aid in the prevention of injury, improve flexibility, strengthen endurance, and ease fatigue of athletes. As part of pre-event preparation and training, it prepares athletes to perform at their peak during competition. After athletic events, it reduces their recovery time and helps in the proper and faster healing of any sports-related injury.

The Fall 2009 online issue of Massage Envy magazine carries the story of 17 year old baseball player Ryan De Rosa who considers sports massage therapy an indispensable part of his regular training routine. In fact, it is touted as his “secret weapon on the diamond.”

De Rosa plays baseball for his high school team and another traveling team. He has also been picked by two national teams. The young man does everything from throwing, batting and catching as pitcher, infield and outfield.

The young athlete added massage to his training two years ago. "I felt a lot of shoulder pain. I had some issues with my throwing arm. My legs were sore, and I was having problems with my knees and hips," he says. He then enrolled as a member of Massage Envy. The very first session alone already had startling results. "I felt funny, because my body felt right," he remembers.

Since then, De Rosa has been a believer in the therapeutic benefits of sports massage therapy. He says it has changed everything in his game, adding, "My massage therapist, Jon, has been my secret weapon. I couldn't imagine not having massage as part of my plan."

De Rosa says that beyond easing his aches and pain, his massage therapist has also taught him a lot about using his body scientifically. "What I really like about having Jon is that in the past two years, he's not only helped my problems physically. I've also learned so much about my body. And he'll tell me about the things I can do before and after games and during the week to strengthen and help stretch those muscles out."

Weekly sports massage therapy sessions are integrated in De Rosa’s training schedule. He says, "It relaxes me physically and mentally. My best pitching performances come the day after a massage-without a doubt."

Sports massage therapy benefits not just world class professional athletes but even young athletes in training like De Rosa and so called weekend warriors who indulge in their chosen sport only on weekends. In fact, even casual sports and fitness enthusiasts such as joggers need sports massage therapy.

Sports massage therapy has become popular as a vital aspect of a balanced training regimen for any sport. It is important that the professional massage therapist be informed of the client’s particular sport so that the massage therapy can be geared toward the specific requirements of that sport and the body parts that need the most conditioning. The client should also point out any body parts that are giving him or her any problems.

Aside from sports massage therapy, everyone can also enjoy Swedish massage therapy and deep tissue massage therapy at professional massage clinics in St. Pete. Pregnancy massage therapy can be availed of by expectant mothers in the same massage clinics from massage therapists trained in prenatal massage. Just make sure you go to the best massage clinics in 4th Street Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa 33607.