What is a sports massage?
Sports massage is a deep form of soft tissue mobilisation which can be applied in a sporting contest and a non-sporting context. It involves a wide range of techniques used for general relaxation of the musculoskeletal system as well as being directed towards any problem areas. Sports massage helps relieve muscular tension, break down adhesions, mobilise soft tissues and reduce pain.
Who should be treated?
The name sports massage defines an overall approach to massage therapy, rather than something thats exclusively for sportsmen and women. Sports massage is an appropriate treatment for anyone who is in need of a remedial or soft tissue mobilisation. Though it has been primarily designed to help improve performance and reduce pain and injury, its results driven approach makes it highly effective for people from all walks of life, particularly for anyone looking to improve flexibility, ease tight or painful muscles or combat postural or musculoskeletal pain, whether from an every day injury or simply from spending long hours at a desk. Sports massage techniques can also be used to reduce the impact of previous injuries, and the resulting scar tissue or inelasticity that may be impacting on your body ability to heal or move properly.
Within a sporting context, people who participate in sport can use a sports massage as a regular part of their training programme as well as for performance enhancement. Although the name implies a sporting clientele, it is a massage treatment appropriate to all!
Why have a sports massage?
- Pain relief
- Accelerate healing
- Improve mental and physical relaxation
- Reduction in anxiety
- Invigoration
- Increase in flexibility/mobility
- Prevent or relieve DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness)
- Increase blood flow
- Scar tissue break down
