Whether you are an elite performance athlete or a gentle jogger, there are a number of psychological and physiological reason for receiving regular sports massage such as: • Aids healing and repair of muscles • Assists with the recovery of muscles post activity • Reduces pain • Increases range of movement • Reduces risk of injury • Greater positional awareness • Increase effectivity of muscle system YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SPORTY TO ENJOY AND BENEFIT FROM A SPORTS MASSAGE
WHAT IS SPORTS MASSAGE? Sports massage is the use of massage for the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. Sport massage uses the application of massage techniques that follow sound anatomical and physiological consideration, combined with basic musculo-skeletal evaluation techniques to ensure the health and well-being of the individual and to enhance athletic performance.
In general, sports massage can be used as part of a training programme to help prevent injury; a rehabilitation programme to treat injury; a warm up for an event, as part of the wind down after the event and has a part of a prevention method. With this being said, sports massage techniques can benefit the everyday person too!
EFFECTS OF A SPORTS MASSAGE Physical Effects:
Stretches soft tissue
Relieves muscle tension
Improves flexibility of muscle
Reduces risk of muscles spasm
Improves formations of scar tissue
Reduces swelling
Physiological effects:
Increases blood & lymph flow
Increases supply of oxygen & nutrients to the muscles
Helps toward reduces waste product to relieve pain
Stimulates the nervous system
Psychological effects:
Relieves tension
Reduces anxiety
Improve mental wellbeing
Pain relief
Stimulates muscles pre event for optimal performance
COMMON CAUSES FOR INJURY/ PAIN/ DISCOMFORT
Over training – doing too much of a certain exercise can tire muscles & cause minor damage or not allow time for the body to recover.
Poor technique during training – doing an exercise with bad form.
Warmup – not completely an adequate amount of warming up for the body’s tissues to prepare for the activity.
Warming down – Lack of stretching post event may cause tightness and stiffness.
Age – the body slows down age we age, bones may become weaker & soft tissues in the body may become more prone to damage due to the aging process.
Mobility – Lack of mobility around a joint reduces the function of the muscles around it which may lead to tension