Sports Massage

What is sports massage?

Sports massage is a type of therapy geared toward athletes and the particular stresses they place on

their bodies. A sports-massage therapist is trained in applying techniques to help athletes avoid injuries, cool down after exertion and enhance their overall performance. Proper sports massages should concentrate on increasing motion and flexibility, relieving muscle soreness, and promoting a quick recovery from muscle overuse.  However, sports massage techniques are effective and useful on non-athletes and in non-athletic settings, and can be incorporated in with other massage techniques. For example, a therapist may use Swedish, deep tissue, and sports massage techniques all in one session.

When is sports massage used?

Pre-Event

• A pre-event sports massage is delivered about 30 minutes before a competition. It should be brisk and light and complement a warm-up.

During an Event

• Many athletes utilize massage during an event to reduce stress on muscles that are reacting from repetitive motions and to keep the themselves flexible to prevent injuries.

Post-Event

• A post-event massage should be given within an hour after the event to flush the body of lactic acid that built up during the activity and to focus on places where the athlete feels pain.

• Anytime

Sports massage techniques can be very effective anytime, and are often used in the clinical or spa setting apart from sport events.

What are the benefits of Sports Massage?

Athletes receive both physical and mental relief from a trained sports-massage therapist. With increased circulation and greater body awareness, athletes can perform at maximum capacity.

Non-athletes benefit the same from sports massage techniques such as improved performance in the workplace, and overall increased flexibility and range of motion.

What techniques are used in sports massage?

Various techniques fall within the category of sports massage. They may include, trigger point, counterstrain, PNF stretching, reciprocal inhibition, and soft tissue release  .Below are the definitions of a few of these.

PNF stretching: PNF stretching (“proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation”) is a form of stretching in which a muscle is alternately stretched passively and contracted. The technique targets nerve receptors in the muscles to extend the length of the muscle. This technique can be used on any muscle that can be stretched, such as hamstrings, quadriceps, pectoralis major, and wrist and finger flexors and extensors on the forearm. PNF stretching is normally done with a therapist or partner, but can also be done alone.

Trigger point therapy:

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves the application of pressure to tender muscle tissue or “knots” in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Trigger points are thought to result from a variety of causes, which may include birth trauma, hypoglycemia , vitamin B6 deficiency, food allergies , traumatic injuries, poor posture, skeletal asymmetry, and overexertion. Trigger point therapy is said to interrupt the neural signals that cause both the trigger point and the pain. The object is to eliminate pain and to reeducate the muscles into pain-free habits. In this manner, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, and flexibility and coordination are improved. The therapy can also relieve tension and improve circulation.

Counterstrain:

This manual therapy consists of assisting the patient into an exaggerated form of incorrect posture or positioning, allowing a 60 to 90 second rest time, and then helping the patient into a correct posture. The strain-counterstrain therapy often results in a greater range of motion and more comfort for the client.

Whether you’re an athlete, non-athlete, or somewhere in between, you can benefit from sports massage techniques.

At Infuse Skin and Body, therapists Jesse Carter and Amanda Burton use sports massage techniques, both alone and in conjunction with other massage techniques to create a customized session for each client. They recently attended a sports massage clinic in Des Moines, Iowa, and learned from Dr. James Mally.

By:  Amanda Burton, Licensed Massage Therapist