Sports Massage

One way to encourage muscle repair during and after training is with Sports Massage. Sports Massage will help release any built up tension and lactic acid in the overworked muscles so that blood and oxygen can return to the muscle and effectively promote muscle repair. This treatment, if received as part of a sports program, can help the athlete prevent injury due to overuse and it can also be beneficial in the following ways:

Pre-Event Massage can help athletes prepare for a competitive event. It is usually brief and stimulating, with the focus on muscle groups and joints relating to the activity. For example, a marathon runners legs wll be emphasized. As the event nears, deeper massage pressure is avoided. Swedish Massage techniques such as Tapotement and Shakings are frequently used pre-event.

Post-Event Massage eases muscle pain by decreasing tension and inflammation, encourages the return of blood and oxygen to tense areas, and flushes out metabolic waste products that have built up during the strenuous activity. Again, deeper techniques are avoided within 24 to 48 hours post-event dependent on intensity of exercise and patient tolerance. Effleurage and Petrissage techniques are often combined during a post-event massage. Patients are also educated on how to minimize their discomfort with take-home instructions pertaining to their condition(s).