What is Sports Massage?

 

Sports Massage Therapy is a style of massage not only helps recovery from injury, but  more importantly is very effective in the prevention of injuries. It should therefore be an integral part of a training or fitness program for all those involved in physical activity, whether you are an amateur or a professional sports person.

 

Sports massage is effective for many kinds of muscular and soft tissue problems as well as injury, whether it is due to posture, occupational stress or sporting activities.

This style of massage not only helps recovery from injury, but  more importantly is very effective in the prevention of injuries. It should therefore be an integral part of a training or fitness program for all those involved in physical activity, whether you are an amateur or a professional sports person.

 

After sporting activity there is a build-up of waste material and often also micro-trauma (microscopic tears in muscle tissue) as well as slight swelling in the muscles. By using techniques like effleurage and petrissage to stimulate blood circulation, Sports massage greatly aids the removal of waste products from the muscle tissues, and supplies these areas with increased blood and nutrients needed for tissue health and repair.

 

Further techniques, such as friction, mobilization, soft tissue release (STR), muscle energy techniques (MET) and neuromuscular techniques (NMT) are applied to help mobilize joints, reduce pain and break down scar tissue and adhesions in the muscles and soft tissue, as well as to stretch and realign specific areas of damage or tangled fibers. Contracted muscles can be lengthened and areas of tightness are relaxed, helping to speed up recovery time and improve muscle performance and efficiency.

 

Sports massage focuses on the problem area, rather than giving you a full-body massage. A sports massage is a good choice if you have a specific Problem in an area of your Body

 

What to Expect

At your first appointment a case history will be taken to make sure there are no reasons why you should not receive massage, and to discuss any injuries or problems you may have. This may involve a postural assessment so please wear appropriate underwear. Normally this isn't needed but just incase, shorts are ideal, for women just your regular bra is fine. I can normally do the assessment through people's cloths. The only item to try and avoid are sports bras or jeans.

Mobility of the injury or problem area will also be checked when appropriate.

The treatment will usually last 60 min. Most of the treatment is done with you lying on a massage table, sometimes work will be done with you seated, depending on the problem or area being massaged.

The day after a sports massage you may experience some soreness, so make sure your massage is at least 48 hours before any important sporting activities.  Time will be left at the end to discuss any findings and follow up treatments.

 

What can Sports Massage Help

• Muscular aches and pains

• Back, neck and shoulder pain

• Whiplash

• Migraine and tension headaches

• Nerve pain and tingling in the hands or arms (Thoracic outlet syndrome)

• Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

• Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylitis)

• Golfers elbow (Medial epicondylitis)

• Carpel tunnel syndrome

• Discomfort and stiffness in joints

• Frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis)

• Runners knee (lliotibial band syndrome)

• Ankle sprains

• Shin splints

• Plantar fasciitis

• Muscle strains

• Ligament injuries

 

Benefits

• Boosts performance and extends life of sporting career

• Helps reduce pain and speeds recovery from injury

• Relaxes muscles, and allows body to rest between training sessions

• Improves tissue elasticity and strengthens weak muscles

• Breaks down scar tissue

• Increases circulation, aiding tissue repair

• Removes waste products, such as lactic acid

• Encourages muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients

​