Anha M Anderson

Module E Complementary Bodywork & Special Populations

Instructor Ms. Wilson
May,04,2016

Defining "Sports Massage"

Sports massage is the specific application of massage techniques, hydrotherapy p
rotocols, range of motion/flexibility protocol and strength-training principles
utilized to achieve a specific goal when treating an athlete. Notice my use of t
he phrase, "specific application ... to achieve a specific goal." So, how do you
decide what application and goal is appropriate for a particular treatment?
Three Key Principles of Sports Massage
Three specific principles are vital to understanding what type of sports massage
to apply to an athlete at any given time. I call these principles the "when, wh
at and why" of sports massage: Timing, Technique and Intent.
Timing refers to when the massage is given: pre-event or post-event; during reco
very; during a maintenance period; or when an athlete suffers an injury that req
uires rehabilitation. Technique refers to what application you utilize, and can
include a number of different techniques: effleurage; friction; pettrisage; vibr
ation; shaking; compression; broadening strokes; direct pressure; cross-fiber fr
iction; range of motion; and stretching. Intent refers to your reason(s) for tre
atment: as warm-up; to increase blood flow; stimulate neurological pathways; aid
recovery from exertion; increase flexibility; improve strength; or improve post
ure.
Let's look at a few examples of how timing, technique and intent work. If you ne
ed to provide a pre-event massage, and the intent is to warm-up and increase blo
od flow, I would use techniques such as friction, compression, shaking and stret
ching. If you need to provide a post-event massage, and the intent is to aid rec
overy from exertion, I would use effleurage, pettrisage, compression, broadening
strokes and range of motion. If you are working with an injured athlete, and yo
ur intent is to assist proper formation of scar tissue, I would use effleurage,
compression and cross-fiber friction, followed by ice treatment and movement.
As you can probably tell, understanding sports massage is never as simple as lea
rning one technique or type of modality ... or just "working deep." A sports mas
sage therapist who understands the three key principles of sports massage should
be able to apply the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time. Every sport
s massage therapist should ask himself or herself the following questions before
beginning a session:

Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class
professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the sports massage techniq
ue are specific to the athlete's sport of choice. Focusing on areas of the body
that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.
Aspects of sports massage therapy are gaining popularity as useful components in

a balanced training regimen. Sports massage therapy can be used as a means to e

nhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance du
ring training or after an event. Athletes have discovered that specially designe
d sports massage promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, help
s prevent injuries and prepares their body and mind for optimal performance.
One of the key benefits of Sports massage therapy compared to other modalities i
s its ability to target muscle-tendon junctions. A 2010 study in the journal of
Strength and Conditioning Research found that even a 30-second massage improved
hip-flexor range of motion. Another study conducted by Margaret Jones, Ph.D. of
the American College of Sports Medicine, demonstrated a notable trend toward dec
reased muscle soreness in the athletes who received massage either before or aft
er exercise.
For anyone participating in regular physical activity, Sports massage therapy ev
ery week or two may be a great addition to your normal regimen. It's best to tal
k with one of our professional massage therapists to find a plan that will work
best with your schedule, level of activity and budget.Mastering the application
of sports massage takes years of education and experience, not to mention a love
of athletics. No one modality, technique or approach works every time. It is th
e love of what you do, and the people you work with, that enable you to perfect
your sports massage technique. I hope this information is helpful, and I hope yo
u enjoy being a part of the massage therapy profession.Sport Massage: This spec
ial form of massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events
to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve s
welling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injurie
s. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used inclu
ding classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joi
nt mobilization.Sports massage is designed to enhance athletic performance and r
ecovery. There are three contexts in which sports massage can be useful to an at
hlete: pre-event, post-event, and injury treatment. Pre-event massage is deliver
ed at the performance site, usually with the athlete fully clothed. Fast-paced a
nd stimulating, it helps to establish blood flow and to warm up muscles. During
the massage, the athlete generally focuses on visualizing the upcoming event. Po
st-event massage is also delivered on site, through the clothes. The intent here
is to calm the nervous system and begin the process of flushing toxins and wast
e products out of the body. Post-event massage can reduce recovery time, enablin
g an athlete to resume training much sooner than rest alone would allow. When an
athlete sustains an injury, skillful massage therapy can often speed and improv
Pre/Post/Training massage
e the quality of healing.Sports Massage
March 1, 2013 by Julie Onofrio
Pre-event Guidelines
Sports Massage is basically applying the principles of bodywork and massage to a
thletes. What makes it different is that athletes have very special needs.
Knowing the person and the sport is what will make your treatment of greater va
lue.
This is a short, specific treatment given immediately before ( 30 minutes- 24 ho
urs before) and event. The goal of treatment is to increase the circulation, fle
xibility and mental clarity of the client to improve performance. It does not
replace the athletes warm up but complements it. It is important to know your c
lients sport or activity and what muscles are used the most. It is also necessa
ry to assess the athlete s condition and needs prior to treatment. Factors such as
temperature, nervousness, fatigue, hyperactivity are considered before giving a
treatment. If the client is cold more warming things need to be done. If they
are already warmed up, focus on flexibility. If they are nervous some soothing
strokes may be called for.
The amount and depth of treatment is the most important key to effective treatme
nt. Deep tissue work is contraindicated as it may cause too much of an increase

in flexibility and it may interfere with the clients timing and strength.
p the goal in mind at all times.

Kee

Use brisk invigorating variations of sport massage strokes to specific muscles

as per sport
Create long lasting hyperemia
Use gymnastics, stretching, PNF if athlete has used them before.
Begin light and gradually increase pressure and speed
Energize or calm down as needed
Do Not comment on tightness at this point-it may be too negative and depressing
If an athlete is unprepared or injured or tight to the point of causing an injur
y, bring this up with caution
Consider the time remaining before and event. If it is 30 minutes, give a reall
y short (5-10 minute) treatment. If it is the day before, a little longer treat
ment is ok.
Be aware of how much a client has had massage previously to an event. It will de
termine how their body will react to the treatment.
In endurance sports, concentrate on overall energy and flexibility.
In strength related sports, concentrate on the specific muscles used.
Do Not Treat Stress points/Triggerpoints: Use only 24 hours before competition
and only if the athlete is used to having such a treatment before and event.
Post Event Guidelines
Post Event treatments are done immediately after an event, usually within 1-2 ho
urs. The goal of the session is to flush the tissue of the lactic acid and othe
r by products of metabolism.
The intent is to
n, cramping, and
an event usually
tigued. Massage

cool down the body and return it to homeostasis. Muscle tensio

inflammation are also addressed. Remember anyone competing in
gives it their all in terms of effort and are left extremely fa
can reduce the recovery time of such an effort.

Ask the Athlete these questions to assess the condition of the person:
How much water have you had since the event?
How did you do in the event?
Are you hurt or feeling tension anywhere?
What do you want worked on?
Do you feel hot/cold?
Is there another event after this?
Treatment Suggestions:
Use light draining strokes moving toward the heart: concentrate on moving fluid
out of there.
Use jostling or vibration
Use general compression
Start lightly and gradually apply more pressure
Use gymnastics to assess the joint range of motion: Do Not Do active resistive e
xercises on tired muscles
Use gentle compressions and light circular friction to aid in circulation and re
duce spasming
Use effleurage and pettrissage for lymph drainage
You may not be able to use oil or lotion so keep that in mind.
Things to watch for during Post Event Treatments:
Hyperthermia
Definition: When the rate of heat production exceeds that of heat loss for a suf
ficient period of time, resulting from inadequate fluid replacement or from fail
ure of the thermoregulatory systems of the body

Heat Exhaustion
Signs/Symptoms: Headache, nausea, hair erection on upper arms and chest, chills,
unsteadiness, fatigue, skin cool and pale, sweating, dizziness, thirst
Treatment: Refer to medical aid unit to be placed in a cool environment and allo
wed to sip water.
Heat Stroke- Failure of the thermoregulatory systems: Extreme Emergency
Signs/Symptoms: incoherent speech, acute confusion, aggressiveness, rapid uncons
ciousness, absence of sweating (ocaisionally sweating), weakness, irrational beh
avior
Treatment: Refer to Medical Unit : Decrease the body temperature immediately wi
th cold compresses to the head and neck, alcohol rubs, place in cool environment
Thermal Stress Conditions:
Hypothermia- the rate of heat production is exceeded by heat loss: unable to ma
intain adequate core temperature: can be worse on cool, wet windy days.
Signs/Symptoms: shivering, euphoria, appearance of intoxication: shivering may
stop as core temperature drops even more. Lethargy, muscle weakness followed b
y disorientation, hallucination, combative behavior, unconsciousness
Treatment: Refer to Medical aid unit: Restore body warmth with protective cove
ring and surface friction. Remove wet clothing and move to warm environment.
Cramps
Definition: complete muscle spasm without complete contraction of the fibers ac
companied by intense pain
Causes: fatigue, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance ( calcium, potassium, magnes
ium), muscle strain, injury
Treatment: Bring origin and insertion of muscle closer together. Avoid further s
pasm. Direct pressure may also help. Ice massage, replace fluids and electrolyt
es.
Training Guidelines
Training massages are given throughout the training stage of athletic performanc
e. An athlete will have an event in mind and begin a regimen of training as nee
ded to reach that goal.
They begin with building a base of strength and endurance and continue to attain
maximum performance level. Massages can be given before or after a workout dep
ending on the needs of the athlete. Treatments are geared toward the areas of hi
ghest stress during the workout. Each sport varies as does each athlete s stress
points.
Benefits of Massage for Athletes in Training:
Faster recovery from micro damage and trauma from workouts
Increase in flexibility and range of motion
Relieve fatigue and rejuvenate
Reduces the strain of repetitive motions
Reduces the healing time of injuries
General Guidelines:
The main goal is to keep an athlete injury free. What do you need to do to acco
mplish this?

Find out what their schedules are like. Do they lift weights, run, stretch, dri
nk enough water?
Are they doing more strength training, endurance training or both? Are they sor
e from tightness or lactic acid build up?
Massage before a workout guidelines: Massage before a workout can make a athlete
feel weaker and unmotivated. They may not even want to do their workout after
the session. Be sure to know your clients needs before proceeding and warn them
as to the effects of such a treatment. Once you get to know your clients sched
ule and training methods, you will be better able to determine if a session shou
ld be done before workout or after a workout.
Find out when they last worked out and what they did in the workout. What areas
are tight, fatigued or over stressed
Check to see when they will be working out. That day? A few hours away? The nex
t day? The time may influence the type and length of massage session.
Work to increase flexibility and range of motion.
Know your athlete s event. Ask them. They know where they hurt and take the most
stress.
Look at your client s overall body alignment to determine areas of higher stress.
If they are fatigued you may want to use more effleurage and other strokes to dr
ain lactic acid build up. If they are tight, you may want to use Trigger point
methods.Sports Massage
What's the Difference Between All These Types of Massages?
Finally, sports massage is designed specifically for the very physically active
(whether you're a professional athlete or not). It combines Swedish, Shiatsu, an
d other techniques to concentrate on the areas that are related to your sport. A
thletes often get sports massages to prepare for peak performance, prevent injur
y, and also treat injury. Sports Injury Clinic, which offers several demonstrati
on videos, says:
The benefits and effects of sports massage include physical effects such as circ
ulating blood and lymphatic fluids as well as stretching muscle tissue and break
ing down scar tissue.
There are physiological effects such as reducing pain and relaxing muscles as we
ll as psychological affects which include reducing anxiety levels.
Best for: Athletes
The massage types above are some of the most popular massages you can get, but t
here are many others. Regardless of the type of massage you opt for, be sure to
tell your therapist which areas you especially need work on, whether you have an
y health issues, and, during the massage, how the pressure feels. When you find
a therapist you like, you might want to book a standing appointment with him or
her for pain and stress relief all year long.Training and Education
What You ll Study in Sports Massage Therapy School
As part of an overall massage therapy curriculum, sports massage training encomp
asses a wide range of modalities. Practitioners can use these sports-specific te
chniques on-site at events like marathons, cycling tours or triathlons or in a p
rivate office as part of maintenance or preventive health regimens.
Students interested in sports massage training can expect to take classes that c
over these topics:
Anatomy and physiology
Injuries and injury prevention
Kinesiology
Trigger point therapies

Deep-tissue massage
Foot reflexology
Career development and core business concepts
Hands-on practice
Average Length of Study
Sports massage training programs generally involve 700 or more hours of combined
classroom and hands-on clinical practice. On average, students can complete the
ir training in about 12 months.
Average Tuition
Tuition for sports massage training ranges from $9,000 to $12,000. Sports massag
e training at community colleges might cost a little less, and private massage s
chools might cost a little more. Many massage schools offer financial aid packag
es to help students cover the costs of their sports massage training.
Sports Massage Licensing
Sports massage therapists must meet the same requirements for licensing in their
state as other massage therapists. Typically, this means graduating from an acc
redited massage therapy program and passing the MBLEx.
Learn more about massage therapy certification.
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2016-17 Occupational Outlo
ok Handbook, employment of massage-related occupation, like sports massage thera
py, will grow at a rate of 22 percent through 2024. The country s ongoing interest
in health and fitness and in massage as a means to achieving flexibility and re
ducing stress will play a significant role in the career outlook for sports mass
age therapists over the coming decade.
Sports Massage Therapy Salary
According to the BLS, the median national annual salary for massage therapists i
s $37,180. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the f
ield, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.CONTRAINDICAT
IONS TO SPORTS & REMEDIAL MASSAGE

Fever

When you have a fever, your body is trying to isolate and expel an invader of so
me kind. Massage increases overall circulation and could therefore work against
your body's natural defenses.

Acute soft tissue inflammation:

Massage in inflamed conditions, such as phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), derm

atitis (inflammation of the skin), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), tendo
nitis (inflammation of a tendon), bursitis (inflammation of the bursa) etc. or i
nflamation caused by injury of tendons, muscles and ligaments is contraindicated
because we can cause further damage or pain and it can distract the healing pro
cess. In the case of localized problems, you can still massage around them, howe
ver, avoiding the inflammation itself.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure means excessive pressure against blood vessel walls. Massage
affects the blood vessels, and so people with high blood pressure or a heart co
ndition should receive light, sedating massages, if at all.

Infectious diseases

Massage is not recommended for someone coming down with the flu or diphtheria as
it can make matters worse, and also therapist is exposed to the virus.

Hernia
Hernias are protrusions of part of an organ (such as the intestines) through a m
uscular wall. It's not recommended to try to push these organs back inside.

Osteoporosis
This condition is specific for elderly people in which bones become porous, brit
tle, and fragile. Massage may be too intense and cause unexpected damages.

Varicose veins

Massage directly over varicose veins can worsen the problem. However, very light
massage applied to the surrounding areas can be very beneficial.

Fractures

A light massage to the surrounding areas can improve circulation and be quite
helpful but massage of areas where fractures occured can cause further damage,
break already existing union and lead to deformation of the limb.

Skin diseases and open wounds

You should avoid anything that looks like it shouldn't be there, such as rashes,
wounds, bruises, burns, boils, and blisters. Usually these problems are local,
so the massage can be performed in other areas.

Cancer
Cancer can spread through the lymphatic system, and because massage increases ly
mphatic circulation, it may potentially spread the disease as well. Simple, cari
ng touch is fine, but massage strokes that stimulate circulation are not. Always
check with a doctor first.

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

In this condition a blood clot can form inside the vein which can break off duri
ng the massage and get to pulmonary system. This can block the lung and lead eve
n to the death.

Recent surgery

Massage can distract the healing process and break off blood clot.

Myositis ossificans

This is a condition where not it treated for long time a hematoma ossifices and
turns to bone. Trying to break it down by massage can cause damage to the surrou
nding tissue.