SPORTS MASSAGE
Sports Massage can be divided into two categories, Event massage and Clinic treatments.
Event Massage
Event massage takes place on the day of the event. It is tailored to the sport, to aid the athlete prepare and recover for their desired activity.
Pre event massage is applied anywhere between 2hrs and 10 minutes prior to the event to aid the warm up routine. It also helps with mental preparation.
Post event is after the event and uses different techniques than pre event to help your muscles recover.
Inter event massage is applied between ties at a tournament or at a stage refuelling station to prepare for the following tie / stage.
Clinic treatments
Clinic treatments can:
- Treat soft tissue injuries (muscles, tendons & ligaments)
- Remodel scare tissue
- Keep muscles flexible
- Prevent muscle imbalances, muscle fatigue and injury
- Improve and maintain motion of joints
- Aid your body to remove lactic acid and other metabolic waste from your hard working muscles
- Help reduce posture pain by identifying and treating the tight and restricting muscles and give simple easy to do exercises to strengthen weakened muscles
- Promote relaxation and well being.
Sports Massage has advanced techniques that make it more than just a deep tissue massage.
A lot of people believe sports massage to be painful and therefore are reluctant to receive one. Some of the techniques may be uncomfortable but it will be within the client's threshold. A lot of people describe this as a "nice pain”. After the first couple of treatments you will really start to feel the benefits of greater movement and energy levels that some of the "uncomfortable" techniques allow. These higher levels of well being are what make sports massage a great choice of treatment.
Techniques used during sports massage along with general massage strokes are, Soft Tissue Release (STR), Muscle Energy Techniques (MET's), Trigger Point Therapy (Tp), Myofascial Release (MFR), Transverse Frictions, Neuromuscular Techniques (NMT).
Before your first treatment a consultation takes place. This involves a brief medical history and assessment of your injury/pain to determine what you require from your treatments. The 1st treatment takes about 1 to 1 and half hours with follow up treatments ranging from 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
Sports Massage can help non-sports personnel. For example if your job requires you to be seated for long periods of time, whether it be operating a computer or driving. Some of your muscle may become weak and lengthened and other shortened and tight. Over time this can lead to postural pain. This results in chronic discomfort and lack of energy. Sports massage can release the tight muscles, followed up with correction exercises and stretches leaving you feeling great.
The same theory is applied to sports people, where over use of muscle can leave imbalances that can lead to chronic fatigue and injury.
