Dare To Be Aware | Alternative Healing Portal

Sports Massage, is it Only For Athelets?

By Viola Woolcott

On of the earlist forms of physical therapy recorded is Massage and it is known that it was used by very different cultures over 3000 years ago. Since travel and communications have enabled different civilisations to meet many forms of massage have been developed.

Sports massage is a type of Swedish massage and has been designed to support atheletes, but you do not have to be an athelet to benefit from it and it is especially important for the therapist to have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, in particular the muscular and skeletal systems. Understanding these systems and the effects of exercise, we may also understand how massage may assist the sports person and becomes an important part of the athlete’s training program.

Our day to day lifes are often responsible for the chronic build up of tension, often around the shoulders and neck. Through deep tissue massage techniques the effects can be greatly reduced.

Sports massage helps atheletes in preparing their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. It is beneficial for people with injuries, chronic conditions as well as limited range or motion, stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some of the sports massage movement’s also use trigger point therapy for the break down of adhesions, which are knots in the muscles.

There are four types of sports massages:

<> Pre-event sports massage
<> Post-event sports
<> Restorative sports massage
<> Rehabilitative sports

For specific problems a sports massage is a good choice and no matter what type of massage you choose, the therapist should check with his client what his needs and expectations are. Generally the therapist focuses on the area that needs attention rather than giving a full body massage.

some examples:

<> Frozen shoulder
<> Tender Knee (from running)
<> Pulled Hamstring

Constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular action may lead to stresses on joints, tendons, ligaments and the muscles themselves. Applied skilfully, massage is one of the most effective therapies in releasing muscle tension as well as restoring balance to the muscular-skeletal system. It is known that regular received massages can help athletes prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overuse.

There are also contraindications for sports massage as well as times when sports massage could be detrimental rather than beneficial to you.

Contraindications:

<> Infectious skin disease such as > Bacterial infection, Lymphangitis, Fungal infection, Viral infections as well as Herpes
<> Haemophilia > Genetic illnesses that impair the body’s ability to control bleeding
<> Cancer
<> Tumours >> Where there is swelling, which is inconsistent with recent bruising
<> Melanoma
<> Varicose veins, phlebitis, thrombosis
<> Open wounds, recent bruising, muscle tears, sprained ligaments, contusions, chilblains, burns > which are all classed as acute Traumas
<> When you are feeling unwell
<> Body temperature over 100°F
<> Adverse effects to massage treatment
<> Diabetes > not always strictly a contraindication (but massage has the same effect as exercise on your blood sugar levels)
<> Where your symptoms appear, where advice from a doctor may be advisable

Filed under: Alternative Therapy on February 14th, 2008