Sports / Training Massage
Sports massage was originally developed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. Sports massage emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to the muscles and tendons.
Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to have one-it's also used by people who are active and work out often. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.
Sports massage stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some sports massage movements use trigger point therapy to break down adhesions (knots in the muscles) and increase range of motion. Facilitated stretching is a common technique. It helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.
There are four types of sports massages:
Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to have one-it's also used by people who are active and work out often. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.
Sports massage stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some sports massage movements use trigger point therapy to break down adhesions (knots in the muscles) and increase range of motion. Facilitated stretching is a common technique. It helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.
There are four types of sports massages:
- pre-event sports massage -- a short, stimulating massage 15 - 45 minutes before the event. It is directed toward the parts of the body that will be involved in the exertion.
- post-event sports massage -- given within an hour or two of the event, to normalize the body's tissues.
- restorative sports massage -- given during training to allow the athlete to train harder and with less injury.
- rehabilitative sports massage -- aimed at alleviating pain due to injury and returning the body to health.