Body Knots

Sports Massage

Massage has become an important part of the new athletic regime. Many trainers now believe that massage can provide the extra edge to athletes participating in high performance sports. People are realising that a complete workout routine, not only includes the exercise but also the care for the wear and tear and minor injuries that naturally occur with strenuous exercise.

Anyone who routinely stretches his limit through sport, or those who do activities that are not classified as sport eg. Gardening, mothers with small children, labourers could all benefit from massage.

What happens when you exercise?

Regular exercise increases vigor and promotes a general sense of well-being, It can relieve the effects of stress, increase in muscular strength and endurance, and more efficient heart and respiratory function.

Delayed muscle soreness after exercise may be caused by a number of different factors.

• . Minor muscle or connective tissue damage
• . Local muscle spasms which reduce blood flow
• . Build up of waste products, eg Lactic Acid

Trigger or stress points also cause muscle soreness and decrease flexibility. These are small areas of spasm caused by sudden trauma (like a fall or being hit) or stress and strain on a particular muscle.

Heavily exercised muscles can also loose their capacity to relax, causing chronically tight muscles and lack of flexibility.

Lack of flexibility is often linked to muscle soreness, and predisposes you to injuries such as pulls and tears.

Types of Sports Massage and Techniques

Maintenance Massage

By working on particular muscle groups the therapist can help the athlete maintain or improve range of motion and flexibility thus enabling the athlete to reach optimal performance.

Pre-event Massage

Given before an event to supplement warm-up, and enhance circulation and reduce muscle and mental tension.

Post-event Massage

Given after a competition and is geared towards reducing muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with exercise.

Rehabilitation Massage

Even with preventative maintenance, muscles can cramp, tear, bruise and ache. Sports massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort during rehabilitation.

Sports Massage Techniques

• Deep Sweedish Massage
• Deep Friction
• Compression Massage
• Cross-Fibre Massage
• Neuro-Muscular Technique
• Lymphatic Drainage Massage
• Mucsle Energy Techniques (MET)
• Soft Tissue Release (STR)