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SPORTS/DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Sports/Deep Tissue massage is an effective and beneficial form of physical therapy, not only for active sports people............ |
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......... but also for anyone seeking relief from muscle tension, and emotional stress. It also helps to maintain flexibility and good muscle tone.
Sports massage is based on traditional Swedish Massage strokes, with additional deeper tissue massage and more intensive techniques for the prevention and treatment of sports injuries.
A treatment session may include postural assessment, muscle testing, stretches and mobilisation. Following/between appointments, you may be given simple stretches and activities to support and enhance your treatments.
The benefits of sports massage:
- Reduces muscle soreness.
- Increases the ability to relax.
- Enables the body to recover more rapidly, reducing the risk of further injury or chronic problem.
- Proven more effective than passive rest in reducing muscle fatigue from overexertion.
- Maintains soft tissue and muscle in its optimum state of health and nutrition.
- Promotes overall muscle balance by reducing tightness and increasing flexibility.
- Reduces muscle cramping and spasms.
- Promotes fuller range of motion.
The use of massage to support athletes is now widespread and the benefits are well accepted. “I would not provide sports medicine services for any major athletic event without massage therapists.” Marjoirie J. Albohm, MS, ATC Chief Athletic Trainer, 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
“Many coaches, athletes and sports medicine personnel believe, based on observations and experience that massage can provide several important benefits to the body”, (Sports Medicine Journal 2005; 35(3); 235-56).
In conjunction with a suitable active warm-up and cool-down regime, these benefits include the following:
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| Maintenance Massage Between Events |
Pre – Event Massage |
Post – Event Massage |
Keep muscles as contractile and elastic as possible |
Reduction of tension in tight muscle groups
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Relax tight muscle groups |
Increase range of movements of joints |
Prepares the muscles for activity by stimulating circulation and thus generating fresh abundant oxygenated blood
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Drains the fatigued muscles of Lactic acid and toxin build up, thus reducing the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness |
Reduce risk of further injury |
Increases flexibility and range of movement
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Maintains flexibility and range of movement |
| Relaxation |
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Prepares the athlete mentally, providing encouragement, reassurance and enhances the feeling of well being |
Helps the athlete wind-down after the event, re-engage with their body and assess any need for further treatment through injuries etc. |
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| N.B. Sessions should last between 30 and 90 mins. |
N.B. Sessions should last between 5 - 20 mins. |
N.B. Sessions should last between 10 – 20 mins. |
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“If it wasn’t for the massage, I really don’t think that I could have survived the seven days!” Competitor in the Endurance Life, ‘7x7x7 Event’ 2005. |
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“Usually I get awful cramp in my calves when I’m driving home after these events but after the massage you gave me, I was cramp-free!” John after the Endurance Life, ‘Coast to Coast Event’ 2006. |
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“I have had hamstring strains before and never been able to play again so quickly…I really can’t get over how affective massage therapy is.” Wayne playing in the Banks International Football Festival, Barbados 2006. |
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