Sports Massage

Sports massage is a general term that refers to massage for athletes

Definition: Massage Therapy applied in the context of athletic training & competition to meet the specific goals and needs of the athlete

Athletes range from casual "weekend warriors" to amateurs to professionals

Athletes are recognizing that massage therapy is not only a useful adjunct to their training but can give them a competitive edge

Athletes training for specific events are prone to muscular tension and strain from overuse

Sports massage therapists should know which muscles and motions athletes use most often in their sport

One of the best ways for athletes to avoid muscular pain and injury is to add massage to their routine

Benefits

• Reduces muscle pain
• Relieves Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
• Relieves muscle tension and spasms
• Enhances general flexibility and ROM

Benefits

• Reduces recovery period
• Enhances proprioception for coordination
• Restores normal resting length to hypertonic muscles
• Breaks up fascial restrictions

Types of Sports Massage

Types

• Event massage: Pre, Inter, Post
• Restorative massage
• Maintenance
• Remedial (Treatment)

1. Event Massage

Event massage is used to help the athlete prepare for and recover from their activity

Types of Event Massage

• Pre-event (before)
• Inter-event (between)
• Post-event (after)

Contraindications

• Blisters/open wounds
• Sprains
• Dehydration
• Hypo/Hyperthermia

When in doubt, DON'T

If you are planning to be at an event for several hours monitor your energy level closely

Be sure to schedule breaks to periodically rest and/or have a snack and use the restroom

Pre-Event

Used to: Increase circulation, warm up muscle tissue, reduce muscular tension and increase ROM

15-20 minutes or less of brisk treatment

Use light to medium, non-specific, rhythmic strokes on muscles involved in event

Basic Strokes

• Rhythmic Compressions
• Petrissage (kneading)
• Superficial friction
• Stretching/Joint oscillation
• Jostling/Shaking/Vibration
• End with Tapotement

Strokes are applied at a slightly faster pace and are intended to energize the athlete

Specific Effects

• Increases blood flow (hyperemia)
• Increases temperature of muscles
• Softens connective tissue
• Decreases hypertonicities
• Enhances ROM

May also

• Heighten athlete's sense of well-being
• Reduce general anxiety
• Help athlete focus

Good flow guidelines:
general to specific
&
superficial to deep

Note: Pre-event massage is given as an adjunct not a substitute to the athletes actual physical warm-up

Note: Athletes may be in uniform or warm up gear- Massage will most likely be done over clothing

Precautions

• Techniques should not be deep or painful
• Don't focus on injuries
• Do not overstretch
• Do not make comments about tissue unless you suspect an injury (then refer to medical tent)

No significant changes in length of muscles during pre-event massage, so you do not alter the athletes kinesthetic awareness

Inter-Event

Brief 10 minute massage at half-time or between events

Focus is on any areas of tension that have occurred as a result of the activity

Consider that the athlete will be returning to their event promptly, do not relax muscles too much

Use the same techniques and pace of pre-event massage

Be aware of muscle cramps and treat accordingly

Cramp Management

• Direct pressure
• Reciprocal inhibition
• Wait for cramp to stop
• Do not do tapotement after!

Post-Event

Used to: Increase circulation and reduce potential DOMS

Session length may be 20-30 min and is a slower paced treatment than
pre-event

Athletes will typically tell you where to focus

Benefits

• Increases circulation around muscles
• Reduces tension
• Minimizes potential DOMS
• Restores flexibilty
• If necessary, reduces cramps

Basic Strokes

• Rhythmic Compressions
• Petrissage (kneading)
• Stretching/Pin & Stretch
• Jostling/Shaking
• End with effleurage
• NO Tapotement in post-event!

Precautions

• Not until athlete has cooled down (stopped sweating)
• Ask athlete about injuries
• Watch for cramps/spasms
• Avoid open wounds

Cramp Management

• Direct pressure
• Reciprocal inhibition
• Wait for cramp to stop
• Do not do tapotement after!

2. Restorative Massage

Used to: increase circulation and restore normal resting length of muscles

Typically performed in your own treatment space, not at the event

Will be longer treatment than
post-event, typically 30-60 minutes

Stroke options include: Eff, Petr, Compr, ROM, PNF's, Stretches

3. Maintenance

Ongoing & regular treatments to reduce muscle tension and soreness

Typically 30-90 minute sessions

Focus on maintaining the health of muscles they use the most

4. Treatment

Used to: decrease pain and swelling, restore ROM and normal function

Different kinds of pain have different causes and require different treatments

Common Injuries: trauma, overuse, sprain, strain

Treatments are based on how far into healing process they are

It is important to understand what other treatments they are receiving

Common Allies

• Physical therapists
• Chiropractors
• Doctors
• Sports trainers

Massage therapy is a piece of the bigger puzzle of healing

Depending on the type of injury, healing can happen within a few weeks or take more than a year

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Medications

If your client is taking pain medications or muscle relaxers, you must alter the intensity of your strokes

Why do meds matter?

Medications diminish client awareness of depth and pain

If we're not aware of our pressure, we could hurt our client

Which is it?

Any questions?