Healing Arts Methodologies
SPORTS MASSAGE
Sports Massage is a combination of
Deep Swedish Massage it also includes, Compression Massage, Cross Fibre
Massage, Trigger Point/Tender Point Massage and Lymphatic Massage. Regular
Sports Massage can reduce the chance of injury, by relieving stress points
in muscles, before they result in restrictions or spasm, improve range of
motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance,
shorten recovery time between workouts, maximize the supply of nutrients and
oxygen through increased blood flow, facilitate the body’s regular processes
for recovery from exercise, decrease performance anxiety and sharpen mental
focus. Prevention of any injury is the best benefit for an athlete.
Athletes who are looking to improve performance and increase their
competitive edge do so by adopting a training schedule to enhance their
skill, strength, stamina, suppleness and speed.
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The degree to which they
develop and utilise these qualities will depend on other factors such as
the level of competition, the sport played, and possibly their position in
a team. However, no matter which sport, the aim is nearly always to
systematically increase the level of training and thereby subject the body
to gradual and controlled overuse.
It is this overuse which may often create problems and imbalances in the
soft tissues. If these are ignored and allowed to become chronic, they
will not only hinder the athlete's rate of improvement, but also in many
cases their performance may suffer and ultimately the athlete may be
susceptible to developing more serious conditions. These muscle imbalances
may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to
cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. Certainly if they are
unable to perform at their best, they may be more at risk from other more
traumatic forms of injury.
Sport Massage, applied skillfully, is the most effective therapy for
releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal
system. Received regularly this may help athletes prevent injuries, which
might otherwise 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.
By receiving Sports Massage regularly, I
will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and by using the
correct techniques, help the athlete maintain a much healthier physical
state, by having more power, flexibility, range of motion. This also
includes having less down time, shorten recovery time during workouts and
performing your sport.
Contraindications for Sports Massage:
There are times when sports massage could be detrimental rather than
beneficial to you. The contra indications to Sports Massage are:
• A body temperature over 100F, or feeling unwell.
• Acute Traumas - Open wounds, Recent Bruising, Muscle Tears, Sprained
Ligaments, Contusions, Chilblains, Burns.
• Tumours - Where there is swelling, which is inconsistent with recent
bruising.
• Diseased blood vessels - Varicose veins, phlebitis, thrombosis
• Cancer
• Melanoma
• Haemophilia
• Infectious Skin Disease - Bacterial infection, Lymphangitis, Fungal
infection, Viral infections, Herpes
• Where you react adversely to massage treatment
• Diabetes - not strictly a contraindication but Sports Massage has the
same effect as exercise on your blood sugar levels so you need to have
appropriate medication available
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