Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy

The use of massage to treat work and sports related injuries is widespread. Even more important is the use of massage as a preventative during sports training and competition to ensure the muscles are well balanced, smooth and relaxed when resting, toned and strong in action.

Sports massage therapy is far more than a relaxation technique. Therapists use a combination of squeezing, friction, manipulation and kneading motions to prevent and relieve muscular aches and pains. Normally used to aid recovery, this form of therapy works on the body’s soft tissues: muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Should injury occur, massage after initial first aid treatment helps the damaged tissue to heal quickly and correctly with the minimum of scar tissue, adhesions and loss of mobility.

Primary aim of Sports and Remedial Massage is to find and treat the cause of the disorder, not only the symptoms.

Muscles not only move our joints, they stabilise them, and provide armour for the internal organs, minor problems with these functions cause more pain than most people realize.

Below are just a few conditions that respond well to Sports and Remedial Massage treatment:

sports and accidental injuries, sprains, strains etc

neck, back and shoulder pain

joint problems

stress related disorders e.g. migraines, frozen shoulders, headaches, aches and pains related to stress, abdominal problems such as cramps, irritable bowels, constipation

post pregnancy and post surgery

Benefits and Effects of Massage

Short term effects are:

Increased blood flow, both in the area being massaged and generally.

Increased lymphatic flow to and from the area treated, reducing pain, swelling and inflammation and speeding up the body’s own healing process.

Relieves stress and tension, factors that are known to hinder healing or slow it down, and cause problems of their own.

Reduced muscle tension, thereby improving the blood supply to an area

Increased muscle tone

Long term effects are:

Improved general circulation.

Balance of the muscles and joints, leading to a better state of health.

Breaking down of scar or fibrous tissue, restoring elasticity to the joints.

Greater mobility within the joints of the body.

Overall relief of stress.

Greater immunity to further injuries of the same area.

Techniques used in sports and remedial massage include:

Palpation techniques, Effleurage (stroking), Petrissage (kneading), Squeezing, Friction, Rocking, Percussion

STR (Soft Tissue Release) – Quick and effective technique in releasing local areas of severe soft tissue tension.

MET (Muscle Energy Technique) – collective name for variety of techniques that stretch, strengthen or break down fibrous adhesions.

NMT (Neuromuscular Technique) - a concentrated pressure is applied to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain. Trigger points are tender, congested spots in muscle tissue that may radiate pain to other areas. Though the technique is similar to shiatsu or acupressure, it uses Western anatomy and physiology as its basis.

Connective Tissue Massage – Works subcutaneous layer, i.e. skin not muscle.

Myofascial release - a deep-tissue technique used to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia and restore structural alignment in the body as well as promote a balanced relationship between all parts of the body’

Pre-event massage can help warm up muscles and improve circulation before competition, but it can also energize or relax an athlete and help him focus on the competition.

Post-event massage can push waste products out of the body and improve recovery

Lymphatic drainage

Postural & Joint assessment

Muscle imbalance correction

Touch is a most effective form of healing - The energy that flows through the hands can refresh, regenerate and revitalise. Massage brings about beneficial physical and psychological changes and restores balance to the body as a whole.