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Everything You Need To Know About Sports Massage
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What is a Sports Massage?
A Sports Massage is a type of massage that targets a specific area of the body. Typically the client may present with an area of discomfort or tension, reduced function, muscle imbalances and pain or discomfort. Sometimes, clients come in with an old injury or just for a maintenance session to keep their body in tip-top condition.
Sports Massage aims to improve range of motion and reduce pain levels. The massage techniques involved are similar to Swedish massage and deep tissue massage but may also include Trigger Point therapy, myofascial release and myofascial cupping if appropriate. Typically for Sports Massage, we focus on one or more areas and I will ask the client to move in certain ways to aid the stretching and release of tension within tissues. You can check out some videos of this on my Instagram and Facebook.
What can Sports Massage treat?
Sports Massage is great for any of the following symptoms:
- Muscle tension
- Aches and pains
- “knots” (adhesions)
- Muscle imbalances
- Poor posture
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Post-sport DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
- Chronic injuries & pain
I have had clients who have not been able to turn their head after sleeping awkwardly on a pillow, clients who have poor shoulder mobility and struggle to raise an arm above their head, clients with poor posture and resulting neck pain and headaches.
I have had clients who have completed ultramarathons and whose legs need some TLC, clients who have hip pain (tight hip flexors) after being sat at a desk all day and many clients with low back pain and tight quads, hamstrings, calves and a few people with bunions and foot pain!
Sports Massage works on the muscles, fascia and other soft tissues of the body. So really, if you have a body with muscles (no matter how un-sporty) & soft tissue, then sports massage could be for you.
Contraindications to Sports Massage
Sports Massage is contraindicated (not advisable) for anyone with an acute injury such as open wounds, inflamed injuries, fractures and dislocations. Sports Massage can be very beneficial once the acute healing stage is complete.
There is a list of medical conditions that are contraindicated so please do get in touch if you have any concerns. All clients complete a medical questionnaire before their appointment to ensure treatment is appropriate. Some conditions require medical approval, always speak to your medical practitioner if you are unsure.
