Therapist using a Sports Massage Stroke

Athletes looking to improve performance will benefit from Sports Massage. Often it is assumed that only elite athletes would get a sports massage however, anyone that works out, uses their body extensively in a work situation or competes in a sports event would benefit from a sports massage. Sports Massage can be done before an event, after an event or regularly as part of a maintenance routine.

Sports massage can be relaxing, but it can also be uncomfortable on occasion especially if a stressed or injured area is being worked on. Compression, kneading, muscle stripping and tapotement are some of the basic strokes used. Compression is a rhythmic up and down broad motion stroke that encourages increased circulation to superficial, as well as, deeper muscle tissues. Kneading (like kneading dough,) aids in releasing muscles from the muscles below them. Muscle stripping is when the therapist separates adjacent muscles so they work independently and more efficiently. And, tapotement is that drumming or karate chop-like stroke that stimulates a large muscular area.

Before an athletic event, Sports Massage enhances the athlete’s performance by warming up the body in preparation for the athletic event. Before an athletic event or workout, massage warms-up muscles, tendons and ligaments. The therapist will also provide passive stretching of muscles and range-of motion of major joints.

After a workout or athletic event, Sports Massage allows toxins and metabolic wastes that were produced during a workout to be flushed from muscles more quickly thereby allowing for a quicker recovery and less soreness.

Sports Massage done on a regular basis as part of a maintenance program helps in the prevention of injuries and also the quicker recovery from injuries. A key benefit of regular sports massage is allowing each muscle to work independently. Let’s take a runner for example. A runner uses his quads quite a bit during workouts and races. The quad is not one muscle. It is made up of four muscles, hence its name, which are Rectus Femoris, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius and Vastus Lateralis. What happens is that since these muscles work together as a group they tend to adhere together. A massage therapist can work each of these muscles and separate them so they work independently. Therefore each muscle can do the precise job they were designed for. This little tweaking of the body can give an athlete a slight upper hand and improve their performance.

To see firsthand what a Sports Massage is like watch this short video for treating shin splints with Sports Massage.

Sports Massage for Shin Splints

If you’re trying to improve your game, a Sports Massage may be just what you need. Making Sports Massage an integral part of your training program may prove to be the catalyst to enhance your sports performance. I welcome your comments about experiences with Sports Massage and how it helped you with your performance. Feel free to leave your comments and thoughts below.