SPORTS MASSAGE
Client Case Study
Gill (name changed) did a half marathon and could hardly walk afterwards due to crippling achy muscle fatigue. Doctors told her to stop running and not do any more races. Gill started coming for monthly massages and these really helped with the pain in her legs and eventually she got back to normal. She could walk and even run again.
When she decided to do another race, I gave Gill weekly massages and stretches throughout her race training and the day before the race. I advised Gill on stretches after each training run and after the race itself. I also gave her a post event massage. Gill’s aim was to complete the half marathon pain free. She achieved this and went on to do many more races.
You do not have to do sports to have a sports massage!
Contrary to its name, sports massage is not only just used by professional sportspeople or people that exercise heavily. It is offers benefit to anyone that exercises, even if it is only mild exercise such as regular walking.
That said, sports massage is not meant to be relaxing and can be quite vigorous at times.
Sports massage therapy is designed to prevent and relieve injuries and conditions that are associated with exercise and physical activity. This massage can often be quite strenuous and is able to promote the relief and reduction of stress and tension that can build up within the body’s soft tissues while exercising. The massage can be carried out before, during or after playing sport or exercising. The techniques used are designed to increase endurance and performance, to minimise the chances of injury and, if there is an injury, to reduce the recovery time.
Benefits of sports massage can include:
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draining away fatigue
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reducing muscle tension
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promoting flexibility
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help in the recovery of injuries that occur as a result of overexertion or overuse
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relieving pain
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preventing injuries
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improving heart rate and blood pressure
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increasing blood circulation and lymph flow
Applications to specific sports
As I am a very keen golfer, I have a wide experience in golfer's muscles and how best to keep your swing going by not adding any more pressure to your problem area.
I also ran the London Marathon (and loved it). So, treating runners comes as second nature.
My first sporting loves were horse riding and swimming so again I have a good understanding of the stresses and strains placed on muscles in these sports.