Sports Massage

From the days of the first Olympic Games, athletes have relied on Sports Massage therapy to help them improve their game and recover from heavy exertion. Not wanting to have slippery skin after their treatments, they even invented a small tool called a strygil to scrape any remaining oil from their skin before an event.

Centuries later, as professional and amateur athletes, we continue to push ourselves to train harder, eat better, break through plateaus and constantly refine our skills. But what if doing all of those things isn't helping you to reach the goals you would like to?

Sports Massage therapy, although sometimes overlooked in training programs, is the key to getting an edge over your competitors. Or to shaving those extra few seconds off your race times. It can also prevent injuries, calm the nervous system and release waste products that build up after athletic activity, to name just a few of the benefits.

Scientifically speaking, we know now that heavy workouts and endless weight training can only take an athlete so far. We've learned from studies and experience that allowing recovery time for the body to repair itself can be just as important as intense training. Sport massages can double the benefit of recovery periods because they actually improve muscle regeneration by kick starting your body's natural healing processes. If you've been prone to sports related strains and injuries than allowing time for this process is vital.

What's the difference between traditional relaxation massages and sports massage therapy?

To put it simply, sports massage is specifically targeted to match each individual's body composition, activities, age, fitness level and personal training goals. Have you ever left a massage treatment feeling relaxed, but wishing that your bad shoulder or stiff lower back were feeling better? Sports massage therapy differs from total body massage, in that the entire treatment session can focus on one part of the body. A skilled therapist can spend an entire session focusing on shoulder massage or back massage to make sure you get the results you need and that you'll never leave disappointed.

A variety of techniques can be used as part of Sports massage therapy. One example is acupressure therapy, sometimes called trigger points therapy, may be used to put pressure on painful "knots" in muscles or connective tissue. Releasing these points can reduce pain and stiffness in the muscle and prevent the body from overcompensating with other muscle groups. This treatment can be done on an ongoing basis, but it is especially useful before an event if there are trouble areas that need to be treated quickly.

Can sports massage really help me with an old injury?

The sad truth is we all experience more aches and pains as we get older. Old injuries can come back to haunt us, with more and more frequent flare ups or even repeated strains and injuries can occur. Sports massage therapy can definitely help depending on factors such as, length of time since the injury occurred, the treatment you received at the time, and how extensive the injury was. An old injury will often require deep and specific treatments. If a muscle has become tight and fibrous due to an old injury, it may cause pain at the muscle or its tendon, but it can also cause discomfort in other parts of the body and interfere with proper joint movement. A skilled Sports massage therapist can help bring you relief and improve your overall health.

Where should I go for Sports Massage therapy?

Sport massage therapy treatments should be sport-specific. For this reason, it's important to find a therapist who understands your needs as an athlete and the principles of the activity you participate in.

The ultimate short-term goal of sports massage therapy is to get you, the athlete, into prime condition before major events or competitions. In the long term, sports massage therapy can extend an athlete's career and ensure good health and body mechanics for years to come. This is why choosing the right sports massage therapist is so important. Make sure you find a therapist who listens to your requests, is skilled in Sports therapy and responds to your needs and to your body reactions during each treatment.

Specialists in Sport Massage: Sydney: Lenk@backonyourfeet.com.au

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