Sports Massage
Aims
In all types of massage the therapist has specific aims in mind, & in sport we focus on the individual needs & goals of the athlete. Sports massage can aid recovery & enhance performance. Training for sport & exercise in general may lead to problems & imbalances in the soft tissue. If these are ignored or allowed to become chronic, they may cause the athlete's performance to suffer & ultimately they may be susceptible to developing more serious conditions.
Benefits
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Relieves muscle tension
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Increases muscle flexibility by stretching specific localised areas of tissue
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Re-energises & strengthens
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Speeds up recovery
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Provides healthy stress relief
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Helps breakdown scar tissue & adhesions
Techniques
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Deep tissue massage
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Fascial release
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Trigger point therapy
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Soft tissue release
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Deep transverse frictions
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Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM)
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Assisted stretching
Injury Prevention
Massage applied skilfully can be an effective therapy for relieving muscle tension & restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help people prevent injuries which could otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments & tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.
Muscle imbalances may develop & often go undiagnosed until they are serious to cause discomfort or impede performance. A skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in soft tissues & by using the correct techniques, help the person maintain a much healthier state.
Pre & Post-Event Massage
Pre-event massage is considered to be anything from 2 days to 2 minutes before the event. The treatment approach will vary significantly according to the timing of the session. Deep treatment may take time to recover from so would not be given too close to an event. A pre-event massage can have psychological benefits for an athlete.
Sports massage after an event or competition can help to relieve soreness (DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). It also assists in removing lactic acid & other waste products/toxins from the muscles. This can enable the athlete to reduce their recovery time.
Event Support
I am available to provide post-event sports massage at locally organised events. Please contact me if interested.
