This may seem counter intuitive: a relaxed muscle is a strong muscle. A muscle that hold tension or tightness is often tired, lacks circulation and oxygen in the cells. Tired muscles can not move as easily, thus the body feels and acts weaker when it is tight. Muscles that are open, relaxed and flexible are ready to move and lift for the next task.
Try this: Notice where in your body there is tension: shoulders, neck, hips or legs. Move this part of your body, challenging the muscles for a moments. Take a breath in and out, releasing the movement back to neutral. Now, gently stretch the muscle. Repeat this two or three more times and observe the sensations in that muscle. Breath in oxygen, breath out tension. What do you notice happening?
Sports massage techniques are used to release muscle tension and holding patterns around joints in order to free the body for flowing movement. On my massage table, you are invited to release the bones of the shoulder, hip, neck or head into my hands. One the muscles release, the joint is moved towards a comfortable range of motion (ROM) into a gentle stretch. The body pauses to enjoy the stretch and then is invited to move the joint back to the neutral center of the body. Once relaxed, you are invited to breath deeply, bringing oxygen into the body and the muscle being worked on. As the body relaxes once more, the stretch is invited into the joint to bring further release to the muscle and joint.
Notice the improvement in strength as ROM and relaxation deepen.
Each movement increases the relaxation, improves ROM and brings relief to the pain in the joint and with movement. This is a lasting improvement as the body will begin to circulate blood, nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and joints more freely. Healing deepens as the muscles relax. Relaxed muscles are strong muscles.
Contact me today at the link below, to schedule a sports massage session to release the tension you are holding throughout your body.
Many Blessings,
Sarah-Elizabeth
Sarah-Elizabeth 
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