What is Sports Massage?

Sports Massage is the term applied to the use of massage therapy for the specific benefit of management, manipulation, rehabilitation and muscle balance of the soft tissues of the body.

Sports massage should play an important part in the life of any sportsman or woman whether injured or not. Massage is essential for optimum treatment of certain injuries and is excellent for helping prevent sports injuries. Having said this, sports massage can benefit anyone, not just sports people as the title suggests.

Regular massage locates and relieves areas of stress that carry high risk of injury. Massage reduces minor cross fibre adhesions resulting from micro-trauma, thereby increasing muscle response. Massage also alleviates muscle tightness (by breaking down muscle bundles) so that muscle contractions and relaxation are more efficient. This allows finer tuned muscle response.
Benefits of Sports Massage

Sports massage increases blood and lymph circulation, which allows more efficient removal of metabolic waste. All of these benefits make more intense and frequent workouts possible, thereby improving overall performance.

 

Another benefit of sports massage is the breaking down of any transverse adhesions that may have resulted from previous injuries, thus promoting more muscle power, better circulation, less chance of reinjury, increased mobility and flexibility, and better performance. The competitor is able to achieve maximum effort sooner, more often, and maintain it longer with fewer, if any, ill effects.
What to expect

Sports massage, although relaxing and soothing, can also be quite vigorous. If the client has muscle soreness the massage may, initially, cause some discomfort. Sports massage incorporates many techniques such as, hotand cold treatment, Neuromuscular Technique (NMT), involving deep pressure, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), which involves assisted stretching and contraction of muscle groups to increase mobility.

 
Your Therapy Plan

Many athletes use regular sports massage to prevent injury. The sports therapist can detect and treat fatigued muscles and blockages and offer advice on how to self-help.The therapist will work with you over time to develop a programme that is tailor-made for your problem or goals. Regular sessions are key to maintaining these positive results.

 

People with diabetes should be aware that sports massage will have the same effects as exercise.

 Professional treatment  rooms at
 The Oaks, Bovey Tracey
 The Beresford Clinic, Bishopsteignton  and The Studio, Street.
 
 Hypnotherapy, Pamper  Evenings and Baby  Massage Sessions  available in your own home.
  
 Telephone                           
 Bovey Tracey: 01626 835455
 Bishopsteignton: 01626 777027
 Street: 01458 446996  Mobile: 07968 416128