What is the role of a sports massage therapist ?
The first thing a sports massage therapist should do is listen. This is an important part of the assessment process and can give the therapist valuable information about the injury.
An observational and physical assessment will also take place which may include special tests to satisfy the therapist that treatment is advisable and that the client does not need to be referred to another healthcare professional.
Once the nature of the injury is identified and as long as there are no contraindications to massage a treatment plan can begin.
This often includes a combination of soft tissue manipulation and corrective stretches and strengthening exercises.
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a means of correcting abnormalities through soft tissue manipulation. This can involve -
Stretching shortened muscles.
Reducing scar tissue around an injury site.
Encouraging the removal of excess fluid from an injury site.
The treatment of sprains and strains and various overuse injuries.
Sports massage differs from general relaxation massage as it can be vigorous and at times uncomfortable. Sports massage has an end goal which is to aid the repair of injured or stressed tissue and speed up recovery.
Who is it for?
Sports massage isn't just for athletes and sports people. The kind of injuries that can be treated with sports massage are very often caused by prolonged poor posture, overuse injuries caused by repetitive actions at work or simple trips and falls.
How many treatments are needed?
This really depends on the level of injury. A simple stiff neck with no complications can often need only one treatment.
A more severe injury such as a muscle tear or reoccurring injury due to postural deviations would require multiple treatments and corrective exercise.
So sports massage is just for injuries?
No, prevention is always better than cure and regular massage can keep your muscles in excellent condition and reduce the risk of muscle pulls and tears.
The additional stretches involved ensures that muscle imbalances do not occur and good posture is maintained.
How does sports massage differ from chair massage?
Sports massage is applied directly to the skin requiring the removal of clothing (although only the body part being massaged is ever exposed) and oils or creams are used to allow the therapist hands to move smoothly.
Chair massage is performed fully clothed and no oils are used, treatments are typically shorter and static compression is used on the muscles instead of gliding strokes. Chair massage is used to invigorate and stimulate muscles but would not usually be used to treat injuries.
