sports massage therapy
What is "sports massage?" That's a terrific question that has a vast array of answers across the internet.
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In general most sports massage therapists describe sports massage along these lines:
For athletes, sports massage has 2-3 main components:
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Pre-event/activity - massage can be used to assist in preparing you for a big event. Getting a massage before an event can increase both your blood flow and range of movement, which can result in improved performance. New research also suggests that frequent massages may also improve muscle endurance.
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During event/activity - It's normal to see massage booths set up during events, whether this is on the sidelines of an amateur race or in the locker room during a professional football match. Quick sports massages during an event will often relieve some pain or tension. Ultimately this helps increase the range of motion for athletes so they can carry on with the match. For more information regarding this service click here.
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Post-event/activity - During exercise and activity we ask an awful lot from our bodies, and for that reason, supporting its recovery following exercise is a sound investment. Massage after an event can help to prevent stiffness and decrease the intensity of DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), this is the pain you typically feel the day or two after a workout. Therefore receiving regular massages can also decrease recovery time between events.
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These statements are all correct but to me, Sports Therapy is so much more.....
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At Maitland Myotherapy & Sports Massage, I believe that "Sports Therapy" is far more than a technique for soothing sore muscles before during or after activity.
The significant difference between sports massage and other forms of remedial massage is the shift away from solely treating pain and other symptoms, towards improving performance, increasing flexibility and range of motion, prevention of injury, treatment of injury, reducing rehabilitation periods and providing an increased awareness for the athlete of their body and its function.
Working with sports-people and athletes at all levels from junior to veteran, weekend warriors to elite national and international level athletes is a passion of mine. My experience gained over many years working with sports-people to identify their individual needs and the requirements of their sports has provided valuable insights into delivering treatments and advice to improve recovery and performance. As you know, every sport is different and has different physical requirements, but that doesn't even start to touch the surface of providing effective therapies to athletes. In order to achieve this, we need to look much deeper at variables such as:
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Your level of competition / fitness / conditioning
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biomechanics - are your shoulder blade, shoulder elbow wrist and fingers moving correctly together with your spine hips knees ankles and toes to allow you to throw efficiently?
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anatomy & physiology - is it your individual shoulder's bone structure preventing you from throwing further?
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strength & conditioning - Is a weak muscle the cause of your problems rather than a tight one?
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gait analysis - is your foot strike leading to hip or knee issues?
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your current phase of training - Preparatory phase, competitive phase, transition phase
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your history of injuries - is this leading to more of the same if we don't do something different?
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current research into injuries related to your activity/sport and strategies to avoid them
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recent changes to your loading levels etc. such as step in training or a change of style/stance/grip etc
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your current ability to move (mobility) e.g. are your tight hip flexors impacting your kicking or running. You may be as fast or accurate as anyone on your team now, but could you be better?
This list could go on and on.
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Understanding the physical aspects of individual sports provides an opportunity to drive performance improvements.
Allowing you to:
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run longer and faster either on the road, track or trail,
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hurdle more efficiently,
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kick or throw longer and more accurately,
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shoot straighter,
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swing a club more efficiently,
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lift greater weights,
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return a serve more powerfully
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sit higher/straighter in the saddle,
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achieve those PB times and scores you have been chasing.
We will work with you to understand your needs, wants and desires so that, together, we can create a plan to help you achieve and exceed your goals.
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When talking to sportspeople, I'm regularly asked about timing. "When is the best time to get a sports massage?" The answer is almost always now! Look at the information I've provided above. The sooner we can get started the sooner we can start ticking off your goals.
Prior to the activity, If you are injury-free and have an event coming up, it's best to book in a sports massage somewhere between four to seven days beforehand. This time frame ensures your body will recover from any massage soreness before the event but also gives us time to address any other issues we identify during treatment.
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When you have finished competing, sports massage can help you recover faster. We can help achieve this via various means including:
Lymphatic drainage techniques
Manual therapy techniques
State of the art Normatech compression garments
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