What is Sports Massage?
Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. It can also be used by non-athletic people to reduce stress and tension. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the client for peak performance, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.
Purpose of Sports Massage?
The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Sports massage can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether a person is an athlete or a once a week jogger.
Massage Techniques
There are three main categories of massage which are predominantly used in sport, namely effleurage, petrissage and frictions. Almost all massage techniques are carried out with the main pressure being directed towards the heart. This helps increase venous and lymphatic flow and ensures that no undue pressure of blood being pushed against closed valves causes any damage to blood vessels. The only exception to this is where short strokes are aimed at stretching muscle fibres. Because the strokes are limited, there is no risk of pressure building up.
Benefits of Sports Massage?
Sports massage has many benefits. In addition to FEELING GOOD, it reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility, and relieves pain. Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports Massage can also include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time.