Sports massage
PRE-EVENT
The massage will last for approximately 10-15 minutes and will aim to stimulate and energize the muscles rather than relax them.
• The closer the massage is to the beginning of the event, the less intrusive it should be. The movements should be focused on outer tissue massage and light stretching and stimulation, as opposed to massaging too deeply and straining the client.
• Using minimal oil or cream (as too much can clog the pores and reduce sweating, which isn’t good before a sporting event)
• Using friction to heat the soft-tissues
• Compression techniques to encourage blood to flow through to the muscles
• Tapotement to gently stimulate the muscles (rather than relaxing them)
• Moving the joints through their ROM to aid lubrication and remove stiffness
• Preparing the muscles for activity through minimal stretching
POST-EVENT
In the case of a post-event massage, the main roles of a sports massage therapist are to ensure that the client can begin training again as soon as possible and to prevent them from suffering from Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness DOMS. 24 to 72 hours after exercise (micro-trauma in muscle fibers). Should last around 10-15 minutes and focus on:
• Soothing the nervous system with effleurage
• Relaxing the muscles with petrissage to prevent any tightness or soreness
• Using compression to promote blood flow to the muscle fibers and body in general
• Incorporating compressive effleurage to finish, so that the body is left soothed by the treatment
Massage during injury recovery and rehabilitation
Usually (but not always depending on the client), a rehabilitation massage will consist of:
Easing muscle strain and tension
Promoting circulatory movement
Aiding the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the vital organs and tissues
Removing swelling in joints
Reducing scar tissue in the site of injury
Reducing stiffness and improving mobility
Helping to manage pain at the site of injury/in the body in general
(Adaptation from "Learn Muscles, Dr. Joe Muscalino")