Sports and remedial massage therapy takes the principles of massage that have been practiced since ancient times and combines them with modern medical knowledge. Despite the name, sports and remedial massage therapy is an appropriate treatment for anyone suffering a variety of soft tissue conditions and injuries. It's not just for athletes.
Effects and Benefits
According to Mel Cash, author of "Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy," massage can have several profound effects on your body. The techniques used in sports massage promote the removal of metabolic waste products by increasing lymphatic drainage, which creates a better environment to promote healing. Circulation is improved within your muscles, which encourages the flow of oxygenated blood, contributing to the healing process. Sports massage can also help you with pain management--the sensation of massage overriding the ability of your nerves to transmit pain. In addition to treating injuries, massage therapists often prescribe exercises to strengthen your muscles to prevent an injury or condition reoccurring.
Contraindications
Sports and remedial massage therapy can be beneficial for many conditions and complaints. However, some conditions can be made worse if massaged. Contagious skin conditions, atherosclerosis, glandular fever, unstable pregnancy, severe osteoporosis and epilepsy are all contraindications to sports massage and remedial therapy and would preclude you from treatment, unless your doctor clears you for the procedure.
Diagnostic Techniques
Dr. Per Renstrom, in his book "Sports Injuries: Their Prevention and Treatment," explains that three primary diagnostic tools are used in sports and remedial massage therapy.
After discussing the history of your complaint, the first part of a sports and remedial massage therapy treatment is usually observation of the problem area. The therapist will look for redness, swelling, symmetry, weight shift when walking, signs of discomfort or pain plus active and passive range of movement.
Following observation, the next diagnostic tool used is palpation. Palpation describes the examination of tissue through touch. Using palpation, a therapist can detect adhesions, fiber alignment, scar tissue, inflammation, muscle tone and areas of tenderness.
Once the therapist has observed and palpated your problem area, she might carry out some specific strength and mobility tests, from which a course of treatment will present itself.
Treatment Techniques
Some therapists usel ultrasound and other electrical treatment devices, but the primary treatment tool in sports and remedial massage is the hands.
Stroking movements along the length of your muscles--called effleurage--are used to warm up the area and promote circulation and can be superficial or deep depending on the condition being treated.
Kneading your muscles helps to increase the mobility of the muscle fibers and reduce fibrous adhesions in the soft tissues and is called petrissage.
Frictions are focused pressure along or across areas of tissue which help to realign collagen fibers during the remodeling stage of an injury and also break down old scar tissue so that a fresh and healthful repair process can occur.
Post-Treatment Care
To promote recovery, speed your return to full function and prevent re-injury, a sports and remedial massage therapist will usually provide post-treatment advice. This can include information on self-treatment, including the use of ice to reduce pain and inflammation, selective exercises to strengthen the injured area, stretches and relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension and lifestyle advice to enhance recovery.
Follow the therapist's advice to ensure that the treatment you receive during your massage is as effective as it can be.
References
- "Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy"; Mel Cash; 1996
- "Sports Massage"; Susan Findlay; 2010
- "Sports Injuries: Their Prevention and Treatment, Third Edition"; Per Renstrom PhD MD; 2007
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