Sports Massage Techniques

Proper sports massage techniques for athletes is no less important that other training aspects, including workouts and diet. The practice of using massage to help athletes recover from the soreness and rigors of competition has been in use even since athletic competition itself.

Modern methods of sports massage often entails a combination of known massage techniques, including Swedish, Japanese shiatsu, and others. During the harsh rigors of athletic competition, the entire human body is pressed to the limits of endurance; and joints, muscles and other parts of the body have actually been damaged, if only briefly. An experienced sports massage practitioner knows how to use his fingers, palms and knuckles to smooth stressed and ‘knotted’ muscles to stimulate better blood flow and bring relief , especially by using the thumbs and forefingers. Athletics who receive severe cramps and similar injuries during team sports, for example, may need several sessions with a sports medicine massage practitioner in order toe be able to return to the football pitch or basketball court as soon as possible.

Muscle fatigue is often present following sporting events, and the athlete needs a combination of both diet and sports massage to return fatigued muscles and nerves to their proper form. If a person is not treated properly, he will suffer from chronic muscle fatigue; which inhibit the muscles from receiving the proper nerve signals necessary to win the match or game.

Massages can be very beneficial if given prior to a workout or sporting event; and will ensure that the muscles are more relaxed and less tense. Pre-game tension can result in an athlete having less concentration, which will prevent him or her from make split movement decisions. Some of the benefits of sports massage for athletes includes faster recover from muscle damage occurring during competitions or workouts, increased flexibility and concentration, muscle rejuvenation and relief of fatigue, and healing of muscles, ligaments and tendons after injuries.

When applying massage before a workout, make sure that this is not overdone, as it may make the athlete feel tired and not wanting to play or work out. In this case, massage techniques to stimulate muscular skeletal activities are much more desirable.

Post event body massage should be done as soon a possible following a stressful athletic event – usually within an hour or two. This helps to rid the body of chemical changes brought on by severe stress, such a by-products of body metabolism. It also helps to “cool down” the body circulation in a similar manner as the “cool down” process following a stressful gym work out. Apply long, even strokes, especially towards the heart, helps to move the blood and other body fluids. It is also wise to ask the athlete how he feels and whether he drank enough fluids before and after the event.