Sports Massage

No matter what level of sport you compete in, from your local weekend comp or to an elite level, Sports Massage is a special form of massage, which can be used before, during, and after athletic events or sporting competitions. The purpose of Sports Massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.

How Does Sports Massage help an athlete?

Sports massage helps the athlete on several levels:

1. Pre-game warm up – A massage prior to competition helps to increase blood and oxygen flow through the body, especially into the muscle groups that will be used by the athlete. It is also beneficial in improving range of movement in joints and to stretch the muscles, helping to reduce the risk of muscle strain during competition.

2. Post-game recovery – During competition, strains placed on muscles can cause micro-tears. There is also a build up of lactic acid in the muscles leaving some discomfort in the areas affected. Sports Massage helps to increase blood circulation which repairs damaged muscles and removes lactic acid and waste products.

3. Injury treatment – At some stage in sport there are bound to be injuries, whether it is a sprain, strain, swelling or bruising. Sports Massage helps the athlete manage the injury, speed recovery and help to prevent future injuries occurring.

Types of Techniques used

Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used. They often involve kneading and stroking movement to increase the blood flow, combined with gentle stretching for improved flexibility.