Sports Massage Practitioner
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Massage is thought to stimulate the production of hormones called endorphins which increase relaxation and wellbeing and act as natural pain killers. As muscles begin to relax and lengthen during massage, increased blood flow helps rid the body of waste products that can cause muscle soreness. Much needed oxygen and nutrients are brought into the body’s tissues, aiding recovery and repair.
Massage also stimulates lymphatic flow which aids the removal of waste products and toxins from the body. The lymphatic system has no pump and relies on muscular contraction, gravity and passive movement in order to keep lymph (fluid) flowing.
Soft tissues are mobilised and stretched through massage, thus increasing functional movement, improving posture and reducing discomfort. Various massage techniques are listed below, together with a brief description of each. (Please note, however, that this is not an exhaustive list!)
Effleurage – stroking movements of varying depths moving towards the heart. (Performed with the use of massage oil.)
Petrissage – ‘kneading’ movements particularly useful for mobilising and stretching soft tissues.
Compressions – Direct, usually static pressure applied through clothing or a towel. The objectives may include increasing muscle length, reducing hypertone (unnatural high tone in muscle) and reducing tissue adhesions.
Stretching – Various forms of stretching may be used as part of a Sports Massage in order to maintain and/or increase functional range of motion. These include active and passive stretching, soft tissue release (STR) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) or muscle energy technique (MET).
Dermal Lifting – A technique where the skin is rolled and separated from structures beneath. Where trauma or tension have caused layers of tissue to adhere or stick together, dermal lifting can be used to reduce adherence thus enabling skin and underlying soft tissues to move freely.
Frictions – Rubbing transversely over muscle, tendon or ligament in order to break down scar tissue which accumulates as part of the inflammatory response to injury. If scar tissue remains at an injury site, it will shrink and become weak, thus predisposing the area to subsequent injury.
Vibrations – shaking and/or rocking movements applied in order to increase relaxation. These can be applied to the trunk or to individual limbs.
Tapotement – dynamic percussive techniques primarily used prior to a sporting event with the aim of increasing contractile potential of muscles and aiding mental preparation prior to performance.
Massage also stimulates lymphatic flow which aids the removal of waste products and toxins from the body. The lymphatic system has no pump and relies on muscular contraction, gravity and passive movement in order to keep lymph (fluid) flowing.
Soft tissues are mobilised and stretched through massage, thus increasing functional movement, improving posture and reducing discomfort. Various massage techniques are listed below, together with a brief description of each. (Please note, however, that this is not an exhaustive list!)
Effleurage – stroking movements of varying depths moving towards the heart. (Performed with the use of massage oil.)
Petrissage – ‘kneading’ movements particularly useful for mobilising and stretching soft tissues.
Compressions – Direct, usually static pressure applied through clothing or a towel. The objectives may include increasing muscle length, reducing hypertone (unnatural high tone in muscle) and reducing tissue adhesions.
Stretching – Various forms of stretching may be used as part of a Sports Massage in order to maintain and/or increase functional range of motion. These include active and passive stretching, soft tissue release (STR) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) or muscle energy technique (MET).
Dermal Lifting – A technique where the skin is rolled and separated from structures beneath. Where trauma or tension have caused layers of tissue to adhere or stick together, dermal lifting can be used to reduce adherence thus enabling skin and underlying soft tissues to move freely.
Frictions – Rubbing transversely over muscle, tendon or ligament in order to break down scar tissue which accumulates as part of the inflammatory response to injury. If scar tissue remains at an injury site, it will shrink and become weak, thus predisposing the area to subsequent injury.
Vibrations – shaking and/or rocking movements applied in order to increase relaxation. These can be applied to the trunk or to individual limbs.
Tapotement – dynamic percussive techniques primarily used prior to a sporting event with the aim of increasing contractile potential of muscles and aiding mental preparation prior to performance.