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Introduction to Sports Massage

Sports Massage

Sports massage is for anyone who is involved in weekend recreational sporting activities right
through to the professional athlete. Sports massage can help athletes prevent sports related
injuries occurring by warm-up and stimulation of muscles (Pre-Event Massage); tone muscles,
improve blood and lymphatic flow which helps respiratory performance; improve flexibility of
muscles; aid in stress reduction; help prevent muscular adhesions; clear lactic acid build-up
which improves recovery time; assist rehabilitation of sporting injuries such as sprains, strains
and muscle stiffness; remove painful muscle spasms; improve performance and endurance.

Areas of Greatest Stress by Sport

Running/Jogging:
Long distance: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Adductors, Gastrocnemius, Knees, Ankles, Plantar
Fascia, Quadratus Lumborum, Piriformis, Gluteals, Iliopsoas, Abdominals, Trapezius, Deltoids,
Teres Major, Teres Minor,
Distance running stresses the joints because of the repetitive pounding and jarring of the hips,
knees, ankles and feet. The balance of the foot determines stress areas. Pronation or supination
can occur due to imbalances in the hip and psoas.

Sprinters: Iliopsoas, Gastrocnemius, Hamstrings, Piriformis, Quadratus Lumborum


Short bursts of speed require strength with higher leg lift and faster cycles of leg turnover.
Running on the toes puts excess strain on the lower legs. Running one way on the track around
curves put strain on the inside hip and leg. Iliotibial bands absorb stress. The balance of the foot
is important.
Groin injuries and hamstring injuries can occur during starts off the blocks.
Neck strain from excess speed should be treated as needed.

Cycling: Low back from constant flexion; neck - extensors, SCM ; shoulders- pectoralis,
trapezius, arms, wrists, hands from weight bearing on handle bars, quadriceps, hamstrings,
gluteals, gastrocnemius.
Watch for overuse of hamstrings as they are in a constant shortened position.
Wrist strain may occur from clenched fists and flexor contraction.
Weight Lifting: Total body stress. Excessive abdominal exercises can lead to imbalances in the
psoas. Back problems may occur. Strains occur when improper technique is used or lifting too
much before they are strong enough. One side is often weaker than the other, which is
reinforced with the lifting. It is necessary to work all areas to build balance as injuries are
usually due to imbalances in the agonist/antagonist groups.

Skiing:
Cross-Country: This endurance sport affects abdominals, shoulders, arms, and quadriceps
muscles.
Downhill: Since the body is in constant isometric contraction, muscle tension can set on
quadriceps and iliotibial bands.

Rock Climbing: forearm flexor and extensors, hand and wrist, quadriceps

Tennis/Raquetball/Handball: Arm stress especially forearms is common. Elbow stress,


Shoulder stress - deltoids, trapezius lower fibers. Elbow and forearm stress are usually from
improper posture or technique.
Iliotibial bands are usually overused with the side-to-side movements.

Baseball: Shoulder alignment is important for throwing. The pectoral muscles, latissimus dorsi
and teres major are often affected. Quadriceps and Hamstrings can become tight from quick
starts running to base or fielding.

Basketball: Knees are affected with jumping and landing. Calves and achilles tendons are
strained with jumping. Hamstrings are often tight. Chest muscles are overstretched as players
hold arms up in air. Iliotibial bands are stressed with all the running.

Soccer: Knee strain can occur with twisting from running and kicking. Also, hips, groin, leg,
knees and ankles are affected by this sport. Running with short bursts of speed and quick stops
cause strain.
Divisions of Sports massage
Sports massage is subdivided into pre and post event massage.

Pre-event Sport Massage


Pre-event is when therapists uses sports massage techniques to help athletes before athletic
events.

Pre-Event Guidelines

Sports Massage is basically applying the principles of bodywork and massage to athletes. 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 value.

This is a short, specific treatment given immediately before (30 minutes- 24 hours
before) and event. The goal of treatment is to increase the circulation, flexibility
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 clients sport or
activity and what muscles are used the most. It is also necessary to assess the
athlete's condition and needs prior to treatment. Factors such as temperature,
nervousness, fatigue, and 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 treatment. 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. Keep the goal in mind at all times.

1. Use brisk invigorating variations of sport massage strokes to specific muscles as per
sport
2. Create long lasting hyperemia
3. Use gymnastics, stretching, PNF if athlete has used them before.
4. Begin light and gradually increase pressure and speed
5. Energize or calm down as needed
6. Do Not comment on tightness at this point-it may be too negative and depressing
7. If an athlete is unprepared or injured or tight to the point of causing an injury, bring this
up with caution
8. Consider the time remaining before and event. If it is 30 minutes, give a really short (5-
10 minute) treatment. If it is the day before, a little longer treatment is ok.
9. Be aware of how much a client has had massage previously to an event. It will determine
how their body will react to the treatment.
10. In endurance sports, concentrate on overall energy and flexibility.
11. In strength related sports, concentrate on the specific muscles used.

Do Not Treat Stress points/Trigger points: Use only 24 hours before competition and only if the
athlete is used to having such a treatment before and event.
Post-event Sport massage
Post-event is when therapists use sports massage techniques to help athletes to recover from
injuries or muscle fatigue after athletic events.

Post Event Guidelines


Post Event treatments are done immediately after an event, usually within 1-2 hours. The goal of
the session is to flush the tissue of the lactic acid and other byproducts of metabolism. The intent
is to cool down the body and return it to homeostasis. Muscle tension, cramping, and
inflammation are also addressed. Remember that people competing in events usually gives all
their efforts and are left extremely fatigued. Massage can reduce the recovery time of such an
effort.

Ask the Athlete these questions to assess the condition of the person:

1. How much water did you drink since the event?


2. How did you do in the event?
3. Are you hurt or feeling tension anywhere?
4. What do you want worked on?
5. Do you feel hot/cold?
6. Is there another event after this?

Treatment Suggestions:

1. Use light draining strokes moving toward the heart: concentrate on moving fluid out of
the area.
2. Use jostling or vibration
3. Use general compression
4. Start lightly and gradually apply more pressure
5. Use gymnastics to assess the joint range of motion: Do Not Do active resistive exercises
on tired muscles
6. Use gentle compressions and light circular friction to aid in circulation and reduce spasm
7. Use effleurage and Petrissage for lymph drainage
8. 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 sufficient period of
time, resulting from inadequate fluid replacement or from failure 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 allowed to "sip"
water.

Heat Stroke- Failure of the thermoregulatory systems: Extreme Emergency


Signs/Symptoms: incoherent speech, acute confusion, aggressiveness, rapid unconsciousness,
absence of sweating (occasionally sweating), weakness, irrational behavior

Treatment: Refer to Medical Unit: Decrease the body temperature immediately


with 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


maintain adequate core temperature: can be worse on cool, wet windy days.

Signs/Symptoms: shivering, euphoria, and appearance of intoxication: shivering


may stop as core temperature drops even more. Lethargy, muscle weakness
followed by disorientation, hallucination, combative behavior, unconsciousness

Treatment: Refer to Medical aid unit: Restore body warmth with protective covering and
surface friction. Remove wet clothing and move to warm environment.

Cramps
Definition: complete muscle spasm without complete contraction of the fibers accompanied by
intense pain
Causes: fatigue, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance (calcium, potassium, magnesium), muscle
strain, injury

Treatment: Bring origin and insertion of muscle closer together. Avoid further spasm. Direct
pressure may also help. Ice massage replaces fluids and electrolytes.
Therapists and clients need to take in consideration that sports massage is not only for athletes.
Anyone can benefit tremendously from sports massage techniques. Benefits can include but not
limited to the increase of range-of-motion (ROM), relaxation of muscles and ligaments, general
feeling of well-being, and much more.
Sports Massage Strokes
Definition Use
-simple pumping action directed deep
into the core of the belly of the muscle -spreads tissue
Compression -applied with quick rhythmic action -creates hyperemia
using palm, loose fist, fingertips, or -softens tight muscles
ulnar side of hand
-circular friction used most often applied
with full palm or fingers -decrease muscle spasm
-used after compression -Caution: cross- fiber friction may
Friction
-move superficial structure over a deeper cause damage to healthy tissue if
structure done too much
-cross-fiber and linear
-Jostling -rhythmic picking up of the
tissue, filling the hand and tossing the -briskly done to stimulate and
Jostling/Vibration tissue back and forth warm up tissue for pre-event
-Vibration - trembling in arms or hands -gently done to relax tension
that is transferred to the client
-pre-event to warm up
-rhythmic striking
Tapotement -reflexively tones muscles during
-beating, hacking, cupping
training
-increase flexibility
Swedish -contract-relax -use post-event and during training
Gymnastics -reciprocal inhibition -stretching a cold muscle may
cause damage
-effleurage -increase drainage of waste
Drainage
-petrissage products

Procedures and Treatment

Patient on Supine

Head and Neck


Arms
Abdomen
Legs and Feet

Patient on Prone

Back areas and arm


Hips
Legs and Feet

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