How Massage Can Help Common Cricket Injuries
Driving past village greens on a sunny day and seeing local cricket teams is so quintessentially British.
Many cricket players are quite sedentary over the winter months and then get their kit out of mothballs and hit the pitch with a vengeance. Inevitably, using muscles which haven't seen action for months, can lead to aching and stiffness and in some cases painful overuse injuries.
In cricket you're throwing, lunging, twisting, running - really getting a good all over workout. This somewhat gentile sport can be very taxing on the body. If bowling or batting is your speciality you could very well pick up an injury within a couple of weeks.
It is possible to reduce your chances of injury by:
- warming up, cooling down and stretching
- proper conditioning
- regular sports massage
- good nutrition
- having the right equipment
- sufficient rest between matches
Common cricket injuries include:
- throwers elbow - which is very similar to golfers elbow and is caused by additional stress placed on the muscles of the forearm through repetitive wrist flexion
- back pain - bowling can cause soft tissue injury and potential disc problems
- leg injuries - bruising and fractures from ball impact due to inadequate protection for the hands and face
Getting a regular sports massage can release tight knots in muscles, that if left can cause strains, tears and inflammation. Should you already suspect you may have picked up an injury, then massage can help get you back on the pitch a lot quicker.
REMEMBER - PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!
