Sports & Remedial Massage Therapy

Sports and remedial massage therapy is focused on improving and maintaining the health of the muscles and connective tissues. Sports and remedial massage therapists are specially trained to deal with injuries or other physical issues that athletes commonly deal with, but nonathletes can also benefit from this type of massage. Sports and remedial massage therapy addresses problems with range of motion, muscle tone and symmetry, balance and quality of posture.

Considerations

• Sports and remedial massage therapy is different than other forms of massage therapy in that the sports massage therapist will generally use firmer, deeper pressure than other massage therapists. Unlike forms of massage that are designed for relaxation or for enhancing the appearance of the skin, sports and remedial massage therapy is intended to treat or prevent injuries to the muscles and connective tissues. Some athletes also undergo a sports and remedial massage before an event to invigorate their body.

Techniques

• Sports and remedial massage therapists manipulate the soft tissues. This means that they use their hands to move the ligaments, tendons, muscles and connective tissues around to achieve the desired effect. They may use stroking techniques or they may use their thumbs to create a deeper pressure. They may isolate their focus on a specific muscle or muscle group and then create movement in this area in a variety of directions and a variety of strengths and depths.

Effects

• Intense training can sometimes harden and thicken the tissues of the body. Sports massage techniques can restore elasticity to these tissues. The stroking movements of a sports massage help draw built-up fluid out of tight or swollen muscles. Sports and remedial massage also improves circulation and increases tissue permeability to allow more nutrients and blood flow to the muscle tissue. When treating the aftereffects of a past injury, a sports and remedial massage therapist may use techniques to break down scar tissue. Sports and remedial massage therapy can help reduce the pain of a current injury because many massage techniques prompt the body to release endorphins--chemicals that act as natural painkillers.

Benefits

• Sports and remedial massage therapy can be used to treat current injuries as well as lingering symptoms from past injuries such as decreased flexibility and range of motion. Regular sessions of sports and remedial massage therapy can help prevent injury and help extend the career of an athlete by keeping her body healthy. Sports and remedial massage therapy can also soothe pain and muscle tension and help to prepare athletes for an important event. Nonathletes can also benefit from this type of massage and many sports and remedial massage therapists routinely treat nonathletes for a wide range of injuries.

Warning

• Sports and remedial massage therapy is not safe for people with certain types of injuries. These include open wounds like cuts and lacerations, burns, infections, ruptured and bleeding muscles, broken bones, tumors or thrombosis. If you have a medical condition and are not sure if it is safe to undergo sports and remedial massage therapy, ask your physician or massage therapist.