Call  

What is Sports Massage?

14September

What is Sports Massage

The must-have treatment to help increase flexibility pre- or post-workout. This massage is an integration of Deep Tissue, Swedish and stretching techniques to help target specific muscle groups. It is a great warm-up to any workout and an excellent way to flush out post- workout toxins. But, it can be also so much more depending on your athletic life style…

 

What are the benefits of a Sports Massage

  • Improves circulation and aids the lymphatic system
  • Helps recovery both minor and chronic injuries
  • Improves performance
  • Reduces risk of injury (tight muscles and tendons are more prone to injury)
  • Breaks down adhesion and scar tissue which can negatively affect tissue function
  • Removes lactic acid and waste products which may cause muscle fatigue
  • Improves tissue flexibility (massage stretches tissue in ways the conventional stretching can’t)
  • Stimulates the nervous system (aids relaxation, reduces tension both physically and emotionally)

Sports massage can be beneficial as a part of ongoing training, before performances, and immediately following big events and competitions. The technique and emphasis is varied accordingly.

Preventative or maintenance massages are much more beneficial to ensure injuries are avoided. However, injuries are common and do cause set backs to training and if not treated quickly and efficiently. Secondary tension can build up around the injured tissues without you knowing. This then leads to further problems known as the overuse syndrome. This means tissues cannot work efficiently or lengthen properly and can quickly lead to localized pain and discomfort and also problems elsewhere.

How is it done

Each Sports massage session will most definitely vary depending on the condition of the body and the goal of an athlete. However, main techniques used during a Sports massage are:

  • Effleurage – stroking techniques; increase circulation and increase tissue flexibility
  • Petrissage – kneading techniques; increase circulation and break down adhesions
  • Tapotment – percussion techniques; light and stimulating for the nervous system, very beneficial prior to exercising
  • Frictions – break down scar tissues and adhesions
  • Neuromuscular Techniques (NMTs) – targets the nervous system to help to release tender spots or trigger points which could be causing referral pain patterns
  • Soft Tissue Release (STR) – a stretching technique used to break down adhesions to localised specific areas of the muscle, and improves tissue quality
  • Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) – aims to restore normal resting tissue tone
  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) – stretching technique to improve tissue flexibility
  • Myofascial Release – Releases fascia which is a connective tissue found surrounding structures throughout the human body

For more information, visit SpaLux.org or call (918) 615-3339.