Sports Massage

What is it?

Sports massage involves manipulating soft tissue with the therapist’s hands, using a range Remedial/Swedish massage techniques at varying intensities and pressures (see Massage Techniques) ^[1].

Benefits:

helps treat minor sports injuries including: calming bursa or reducing tendon inflammation, relieving muscle tension or spasms, soothes damaged ligaments and joints, reduces swelling, encourages alignment of scar tissue, and promotes speedy recovery ^[2-3].

Protects from sprains and stresses caused by overtraining, resolving aches and pains. Regular Sports Massage prevents the development of injuries by stretching soft tissue and improving muscle flexibility. Used on a regular basis, sports massage can innovate and advance ultimate fitness and performance by increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to tissues and removal of waste from the body, and promotes health ^[4-5].

Sports Massage aids complete mental and physical relaxation, leaving body refreshed, recharged, relieved and recovered. It relieves sore muscles and joints, reduces oedema and inflammatory response of tissues and promotes endurance strength ^[6-9].

Sports massage can be of great benefit pre and post training or events.

Pre-event it can invigorate and prepare an athlete both mentally and physically. Benefits include: focus mind, improved endorphin production, stimulates circulation, boost oxygenation, increased neurological excitability reduced tension.

Post-event it aids recovery and facilities healing by reducing muscle stiffness, tension and fatigue, relieving delayed onset muscle soreness, assisting with lactic acid clearance, restoring heart rate, blood pressure and generally calming the body systems ^[10-12].

What to expect:

Following a complete assessment and detailed history, patients will be physically examined, including palpation to feel problems – please bring a pair of loose shorts to your appointments. Initial assessment will last approximately 1 hour. A typical session will involve appraising any injury or imbalance, using a number of techniques including testing for range of movement and muscle strength, posture and gait analysis. We evaluate fitness for treatment and check there are no contra-indication. Sports Massage may be performed with the use of a simple base oil (we use hypo-nonallergenic grape seed), with talcum powder or dry skin, with hands-on contact by the therapist. Pressure is gradually increased from superficial to deep, but your dignity and comfort is naturally observed throughout with upmost professionalism.

History:

Swedish massage was developed in the early 1800s by Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish physiologist and fencing master, who developed a clear system of massage based on a combination of scientific physiology.
Techniques included: ‘Effleurage’ – gliding strokes, ‘Petrissage’ – kneading movements, ‘Frictions’ – circular pressure of the hand and fingers, ‘Vibration’ – soft tissue vibratory movements, ‘Percussion/Tapotement’ – brisk tapping, slapping and cupping (see Massage Techniques).