Natural health and fitness

Sports massage is used to assist training, prevent injury, and to treat sprains, strains and sore tendons. Manual lymph drainage stimulates the lymph system. Sports massage is so much more. Sports massage is often used on injured athletes to speed healing and reduce downtime. It can also be used on healthy athletes after a vigorous workout to promote recovery and reduce the tension created by tight muscles.

Technique refers to what application you utilize, and can include a number of different techniques: effleurage; friction; pettrisage; vibration; shaking; compression; broadening strokes; direct pressure;

cross-fiber friction; range of motion; and stretching. Intent refers to your reason(s) for treatment: as warm-up; to increase blood flow; stimulate neurological pathways; aid recovery from exertion; increase flexibility; improve strength; or improve posture. Techniques employing breath and movement are also used for releasing muscular congestion. Techniques in Sports Massage There are three main techniques of massage frequently used in sport, namely effleurage, petrissage and frictions. Most of the massage techniques ensure the main pressure is directed towards the heart to increase the venous and lymphatic flow.

Certain ligament and joint injuries that need immobilization and expert attention may be aggravated by massage. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating.

Post-event sports massage usually occurs within two hours of physical activity and is used to relieve the tension and stress that can build up in the muscles after strenuous work. As a game goes on, numerous toxins and lactic acid can build in the muscles, leading to soreness and extended recovery time. Post-event massage flushes muscle of metabolic waste, stopping cramps and spasms that occur after vigorous

exercise. Maintenance massage keeps you tuned up between events and corrects muscle imbalances and injuries. Post-event sports massage helps reduce the swelling caused by microtraumas; loosens tired, stiff muscles; helps maintain flexibility; promotes blood flow to the muscle to remove lactic acid and waste build-up; and reduces cramping. In addition, post-event massage helps speed the athlete’s recovery time and alleviates pulls, strains, and soreness.
Sore muscles recover more quickly and become stronger and more supple when massaged. A massage before an event is a great way to warm up muscles, preparing the competitor for whatever activity she may be undertaking. Soreness from effective massage sessions should feel like a healthy post-workout soreness and should only last about 24 hours. This soreness should be equated to changes occurring in the soft tissue and should not be crippling or debilitating.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 9:53 am and is filed under Massage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.