Sports Massage (SM)

Introduction

Sports Massage (SM) is a massage technique that utilizes a system of movements including gliding, compressing, stretching, and other innovations. Sports massage primarily focuses on the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of the body's soft tissues. It also known for improving training, injury prevention, enhanced self-awareness and performance and SM also improves blood circulation, which allows athletes to train more efficaciously. Additionally, SM is a natural antioxidant as it helps to remove waste products and refurbishes tissues with essential nutrients in help in healing. By using SM, deep tissue damage and imbalances can be detected as early as and possibly corrected before an injury become worse. Sports massage is popularly use prior to sporting events as it can stimulate circulation, relieve stress and assist an athlete to perform in peak physical condition.


Massages tips

Before beginning a therapeutic massage to thee problem areas, keep in mind that although muscles are tough and hard to injure, pressure applied too deep or too quick can be extremely painful and can bruise muscles fiber, thus aggravating an injury. When muscle tense during massage, lighten and depth pressure and continue the manipulation with slower pressure graduation, allowing muscles time to warm and relax. Keep in mind that muscular strength and pain tolerance differ with each individual. With practice and experience, this task will grow easier.
If an area has been recently injured, do not massage directly on that sites. Apply ice treatment first and wait until the injured area is not swollen. Ice dulls peripheral pain and relieves spasm by decreasing muscle activity and lowering activity in peripheral, uninjured cells. This put cell in partial hibernation and extension of injury is prevented. Ice should be placed in a leak-proof bag and apply the treatment to the injury for about 20 minutes, then removed for 10 minutes to prevent vasocilation. This sequence of application and removal can be repeated several times during the first 24 to 48 hours. After inflammation has subsided, treat the area with light massage.
Before applying aggressive massage techniques to areas adjoining trigger points, muscles need to be warm up and stretched extensively, be sure to massage the underlying tissue and not just the surface skin. Increase pressure gradually to the verge of discomfort with the medium force for approximately 20 second. The force should be applied until discomfort is alleviated, then gradually increase pressure. Trigger point are sensitive to manipulation and initially as the manipulation deepens, sensitivity will increase. As tenderness of trigger point abates, pressure can be applied for longer periods. Finally, do not leave massage when the aches and pain are gone. Frequent or daily massage can be therapeutic and preventative.





Benefits of massage

There are many benefits in sport massage:
a. Sports massage has many benefits. In addition to feeling good, sports massage reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility, and relieves pain. Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way.

b. Sports Massage can also include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time.

c. Massage, applied skillfully, is the most effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the muscular-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help athletes prevent injuries, which might be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.

d. These muscle imbalances may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. The skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and by using the correct techniques, help sports person to maintain a much healthier physical state.

e. It is reasonably claimed that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping prevent injury.


Contraindications for Sports Massage

Although there is extensive scope for the application of massage therapy, there are also definite contra-indication to its usage. These should always be borne in mind and let common sense be your guide. Listed below are some contra-indications:
a. A body temperature over 100°F, or feeling unwell
b. Acute Traumas - Open wounds, recent bruising, muscle tears, sprained ligaments, contusions, chilblains, burns
c. Tumors - Where there is swelling, which is inconsistent with recent bruising
d. Diseased blood vessels - Varicose veins, phlebitis, thrombosis
e. Cancer
f. Pain to touch
g. Pregnancy
h. Infectious skin disease - Bacterial infection, Lymphangitis, Fungal infection
i. Where your symptoms appear to make advice from a doctor advisable
j. Diabetes - not strictly a contraindication but massage has the same effect as exercise on your blood sugar levels so you need to have appropriate medication available