Sports Therapy

Andrea Hall, ICHFST, ITEC.DIP Sports Therapist

An Introduction

The Field of sports massage is a highly specialised. Sports massage should not be undertaken without appropriate training. Qualification in massage is not enough to carry out sports massage, additional knowledge and practice under supervision from an experienced sports massage therapist is required.

Further study includes anatomy and physiology, with particular emphasis on those systems affected by exercise. Study of Kinesiology (body movement) and biomechanics (scientific principles relating to movement) and an understanding of the requirements of the different sports are also necessary.

This in-depth knowledge will enable the sports massage therapist to carry out an assessment and provide appropriate treatment for a variety of conditions, which they will encounter.

Whilst other forms of massage such as Swedish and Holistic massage have some aims in common with sports massage – such as physical and mental relaxation – Sports massage is specifically designed to assist athletes in their sport or fitness activities.

A sports massage therapist is concerned primarily with:

Muscular and skeletal alignment
How exercise affects the body’s sytems and how massage can promote or reduce these effects to the benefit of the athlete

Many of the aims of sports massage, such as injury prevention and the promotion of recovery from exercise, are therefore quite different from the aims of other forms of massage.

Who can benefit from Sports Massage?

	Anyone who engages in physical activity for the purpose of sport of fitness – respective of age, level of fitness or level of training – can benefit.
	Athletes with injuries or problems that are inhibiting performance will find that the stimulatory effects of sports massage encourage the healing process.
	Recreational and competitive athletes following a regular training programme will benefit during recovery and through the early detection of nay problems arising from training stress.
	Athletes engaged in sporting events or competitions can benefit before, during and after the event, depending on whether the need is for the release of muscle tension, relief from soreness, relaxation, etc.

What are the benefits of a Sports Massage?

	It increases the blood flow through the area being massaged. The delivery of nutrients and oxygen is therefore increased, which are required for muscle contraction. It also aids the recovery of the muscles, thus helping to maintain them in good condition.
	It also speeds up venous and lymphatic drainage from the area. It removes the waste products of metabolism i.e. lactic acids that can build up in the muscle after training and can cause pain and stiffness. Massage reduces this effect and it therefore allows the athlete to fit in more training, which will raise the standard of their performance.
	Massage helps break down and stretches inflexible scar tissue found in muscles, ligaments and tendons.
	Increases the flexibility of the tissues.

If you have other questions that we have not answered here, don't hesitate to contact us!.