Sport Massage

Sport massage has been around since ancient Greek & Roman times, and is even now part of the official medical team at the Olympics.

What is Sport Massage?

Injury prevention and care is part of a complete wellness routine.  Sports massage is for anyone stretching their physical limits including weekend warriors, musicians, dancers, gardeners, mothers....  Sports massage incorporates Swedish, deep tissue, pressure point work and joint mobilization.  Sports massage focuses on specific muscles (Ex: a runner's legs) for maximum conditioning & performance. Regular massages are recommended.  Deeper, vigorous massage will be possible as the tissues become healthier.

If lactic acid accumulates in the muscle fibers, it prevents them from stretching and sliding. Muscles stay contracted, which leads to tightness, stiffness, and loss of mobility.  Injuries can occur when one has overtrained, neglected to warm-up, or has received trauma.  Injuries are also common in those having poor flexibility or muscle tone/ balance, mineral deficiencies, or inadequate endurance or muscle strength.

Sports massage can accelerate the healing process by:

- flushing lactic acid

- increasing strength, endurance, & range of motion
- reducing adhesions, swelling, bruising and pain
- easing muscles compensating for injured muscles
- compensating for missed exercise during recovery
- relieving muscle spasms and fatigue-related injuries

Pre-Event Massage is given within four hours of an event for ten to fifteen minutes to warm-up muscles. It stimulates but calms the athlete, which can be a great psychological advantage in competition. Pre-event massage leaves muscles ready for action by boosting circulation, flexibility and range of motion. This reduces muscle pain, soreness and injury.

Post-Event Massage may be fifteen to ninety minutes in length.  This massage helps normalization and repair of tissue and promotes mental calming.  Post-event sports massage increases circulation to speed removal of toxins, relieves muscle spasms, and reduces soreness. It assists athletes in recovery and regaining their pre-event condition be relaxing tight, fatigued muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Training or Conditioning Massage usually takes place after a workout cool down. The massage may last thirty to ninety minutes. Moist heat (shower, sauna, jacuzzi) helps soften tissues prior to massage.  Sports massage assists in relieving repetitive muscular stress and preventing injuries, enabling harder, more consistent training and adequate recovery.

- Sports Massage, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
- Performance Massage by Robert King
- Myotherapy by Bonnie Pruddin

- Scientific Massage for Athletes by H. J. Fay

- Massage in Athletics by A. Baumgartner

- Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques by F. Tappan