Sports Massage
What is Sports Massage?
Sports and Remedial massage are 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 is also 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 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 and remedial 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, mobilisation, soft tissue release (STR), muscle energy techniques (MET) and neuromuscular techniques (NMT) are applied to help mobilise 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 fibres.
Contracted muscles can be lengthened and areas of tightness are relaxed, helping to speed up recovery time and improve muscle performance and efficiency.
What to expect
At your first appointment, a case history will be taken to discuss any injuries or problems you may have. Next, an assessment of the problem will then be taken which may involve a postural assessment so please wear appropriate underwear. Mobility of the injury or problem area will also be checked.
The treatment will usually last one hour. 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 24 hours before any important sporting activities. Your modesty will be respected at all times during the treatment. And time will be left at the end to discuss any findings and follow up treatments.
What can Sports Massage help with?
- Muscular aches and pains
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Whiplash
- 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 (Illiotibial band syndrome)
- Ankle sprains
- Shin splints
- Plantar fasciitis
- Muscle strains
Benefits of Sports Massage
- Boosts performance and extends sporting career
- Help reduce pain and speed recovery from injury
- Relaxes muscles, and allows the 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