Frequently Asked Questions for Sports Therapy
Please click on the links below to find out more:
• WHAT IS SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY?
The main purpose of Sports massage is to alleviate stress & tension, which can build up in the body's soft tissues whilst performing physical activities. The powerful benefit of this massage style is it's preventative capacity in allowing the practitioner the chance to monitor any negative changes in the performer's tissues & to counteract this situation using advanced techniques of body massage, not just the usual rubdown. The speedy recovery of the body from exercise reduces the late onset soreness that can occur particularly if stretching is not performed adequately after sports activities.
• WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A SPORTS THERAPIST?
The scope of work is varied & it is valuable for the public to have easy access to a sports massage practitioner. Most Chiropractors, Osteopaths & Physiotherapists rarely have time to offer full massage work, most injuries seen by the medical profession benefit greatly once the acute nature of the injury has been assessed & treated. Rehabilitation & preventative care take over.
- Relieves stress & tension throughout the body
- Identifies potential problems early on, before a minor overuse injury develops into more serious problems
- Provides integrated treatment with other therapists (fizzy, doctor)
- Can give basic advice on training, stretching, self-help or indicate when changes of routine are required to prevent or enhance the problem via client's own coach, personal trainer etc if outside the scope of practitioner.
- Detects postural defects developing causing compensatory or referred pain occurring eg.spinal & pelvic twists, poor walking gait
- Pre & Post event massage for optimum competition
- Keep the body in a state of fine tuning
- Deal with effects of fatigue
- Treat minor soft tissue conditions strains, sprains
- Look closely at postural & occupational stress on the body from fascial pulls to chronic shortening of major muscles
• MINOR EFFECTS
- Loosening restricted joints
- Toning muscles
- Reducing swelling & pain
- Aiding orthopaedic & arthritic conditions for general well-being & coping strategy
- Breaking down & preventing scar tissue forming
- Improving mobility & encouraging the natural healing process via chemical activity
• TECHNIQUES USED
- CONNECTIVE TISSUE MASSAGE (aimed at muscle fascia, improving the flow of intersitial fluid, addressing restrictions & adeshions)
- MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUES (stretching & toning carried out within the pain free range, reducing the need for deep painful massage)
- NEURO-MUSCULAR MASSAGE (working on trigger points e.g. acupressure & shiatsu)
- STRAIN-COUNTERSTRAIN ( a subtle & painless way to reduce spasm)
- SOFT TISSUE RELEASE (combining stretch & pressure)
- AROMATHERAPY OILS (used to work on a deeper level emotionally effecting the lymbic system of smell & association, enhancing the massage effects by the individual benefits of the oil chosen)
- LYMPH DRAINAGE (using gentle work in relieving lymph oedema & improving fluid reabsorption)
• WHAT IF I AM ON MEDICATION?
All medication should be supplied to your practitioner due to some being a contra-indication to deep remedial work e.g. thrombosis, any blood thinning medicine taken bruising can occur, blood clots moved. Diabetes need reduced pressure due to bruising also. Heat, cold sensations maybe reduced. Hot & cold work via stones, packs or spray on liniments may need to be avoided. High/low blood pressure, epilepsy, heart conditions most can be treated but adaptations have to be applied.
• CAN I HAVE OTHER COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY?
Yes in most cases. Homeopathy is sometimes effected by some essential oil usage, these can be avoided if undergoing treatment. Some gap between treatments maybe required to allow the body to gain the most benefit of each therapy.
• HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER A SPORTS MASSAGE?
The body should feel pleasantly relaxed & more supple. There maybe some tenderness in places if deep work has occurred. The next morning stiffness may occur & more tenderness can result over a 24 -48 hour period, this is a natural response to deep massage work as tissues remodel & start to repair in most cases if the injury or tension was mild no side effects occur. Mild headaches can affect some individuals if very sensitive to changes in the body. Due to increased waste levels being excreted into the blood system. More water to flush the system out & a good brisk walk in the fresh air usually produces a good response. More static pain developing or severe headaches normally are associated with nerve compression or blood stasis problems & more investigation treatment maybe required with referral necessary.
• PRE & POSTEVENT MASSAGE
PRE EVENT
Normally takes 20 minutes to an hour before an event, lasting 5-15 minutes not merely a warm-up but part of it. Aiding psychological benefit to the player. The session is strong, brisk & invigorating. No oil, creams or powders are normally used.
- ENHANCES WARM-UP ROUTINE
- INCREASES CIRCULATION
- WARMS MUSCLES & JOINTS
- IMPROVES THE NEUROMUSCULAR RESPONSE
- MENTAL PREPARATION, REDUCES ANXIETY
POST EVENT
Half to 2 hours after activity, cooldown must be applied, generally more relaxing, deeper & searching of the muscle for pain, trigger points, minor injuries or spasm. Careful application prevents aggravating any acute problems that may have arisen.
- ENHANCES COOLDOWN
- DIVERTING BLOOD OUT TO TISSUES
- AIDS RECOVERY FROM EXERTION, SLOWING HEART RATE
- RELAXES & CALMS THE ATHLETE
- REDUCES THE PAIN OF MUSCLE SORENESS DEVELOPING
• POSTURAL ASSESMENT
A postural assessment looks closely at the distortions in the body that develop from tight or weak muscle. Leading to hip twists, leg length deviations etc. this study can be included prior to treatment as an in depth view of why the body is having aches & pains if caused by these problems. By being aware of any deviations from the norm a few gentle techniques can be performed to encourage the body back into balance, helping to alleviate long term aches & pains.
• WHAT IS CUPPING THERAPY?
Cupping has been in use for many years practised in one form or another even in England. Dr William Marsden of the Marsden Hospital employed cupping therapy extensively in the 1830's. There are many methods from weak/light cupping giving a gentle toning effect over an area this being safely used on anyone who maybe debilitated or frail & even on the young. (where very small cups would be used) or as facial cups on adult patients.. The larger cups are used for strong cupping sensations producing a more draining technique. Working on stubborn & stagnant conditions maybe long term & chronic.
Moving cupping is the strongest method, where the cups are actively moved over the surface of the skin massaging the client. This normally applied along the deep & tense spinal muscles. Cupping does not hurt even on very sensitive individuals who cannot withstand touch e.g. when the tissues have become hypersensitive such as in fibromalgia. Due to the strong pulling sensation on the skin a slight bruising will result this being the aim of treatment in drawing out excess heat or stagnation in the blood & in some cases cold & damp. Particularly as we are so effected by climate in this country.
By moving the qi (energy) the blood will start to flow better, flushing out toxins & activating areas to life. The oil applied can be seen to change colour as toxins are drawn to the surface of the skin, the cups being warm when applied also increasing the sweating out of impurities & relaxing the area treated.
Treatment is normally done as a single separate session of 20-30 minutes or within a treatment massage / shiatsu for 10-15 minutes approximately.
| 
