1. Light and Easy
Rehabilitation sports massage helps stimulate blood flow and loosen muscles in the injured area. Increased blood flow and flexibility means faster healing for most athletes. Along with physical therapy, rehabilitation sports massage gets athletes back on their feet and back into the game. One type of sports massage is effleurage. Effleurage is a light technique that prepares the muscles for deeper methods in progressive treatment. The massage therapist strokes the area lightly in an upward motion towards the heart as this is the direction of blood flow. This technique lasts about 5 to 10 minutes as the massage therapist gradually increases the pressure using a light lubrication to keep the massage comfortable and smooth.
2. A Little Deeper
Petrissage is a kneading technique massage therapists use to loosen the muscles fibers even more during therapy. It's essentially the same type of deep kneading motion that bakers use when kneading bread. The trick to petrissage is to push one half the muscles away from you while pulling the other half towards you. Use both the thumb and fingers to push and pull the muscles back and forth in the entire treatment area, going up and down the muscle. Use this method for about 5 minutes with some lighter massage in between. Always alternate deep muscle massage with effleurage, especially in recently injured and highly sensitive muscles. Massage therapy won't begin until 48 hours after an injury. In more severe cases a therapist waits at least a week before beginning treatment.
3. More Muscle
Another technique for rehabilitation sports massage is stripping the muscle. Although this sounds painful and invasive it's simply another step in the progression and intensity of therapeutic massage. Stripping applies sustained pressure to the muscle and irons out any tightness and lumps in normally smooth muscle tissue. This takes some intense pressure, but after a few minutes, the muscle responds by relaxing. Stripping uses both thumbs together beginning at the base of the stressed muscle. Direct pressure from the both thumbs along the middle of the muscle held for a few minutes penetrates deep into the muscle fibers. The massage therapist works her way up the muscle holding the position for several seconds. Repeat the procedure 3 to 5 times in a row with the entire treatment lasting about 5 to 10 minutes. Alternate this intense massage with periods of petrissage.
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