Sports massage is designed to relieve pain and prevent injury in athletes. According to the Mayo Clinic, sports massage is similar to the Swedish version of massage that requires gentle rubbing and kneading of muscles and ligaments. Vibrating hand movements, deep circular rubbing and long strokes are typical practices in sports massage therapy.
History
According to the American Cancer Society, the practice of rubbing hands over the body to relieve tension and promote healing dates to ancient China, Egypt, Asia, Persia and Greece. Hippocrates recommended massage for athletes and soldiers hurt in the line of duty. In the late 1800s, Swedish physician Per Henrik Ling introduced the techniques used in Swedish massage that were adopted for athletic therapies. National certification for massage therapists started in 1992 in the United States.
Features
The fundamental strokes used in sports massage include manipulation of the soft tissues through steady pressure of the therapist's hand, elbows or forearms. Pressure applied to the muscles can loosen them before, during and after a sporting event. Sports massage is designed to improve circulation and prevent fatigue. Sports massage therapists often attend events and set up a massage table on the sideline for athletes.
Benefits
The athlete quickly notes the benefits of sports massage as they are designed for immediate effectiveness and efficiency. According to the Sports Massage Association, in addition to improving circulation, sports massage can either stimulate or sedate nerve endings to allow the athlete to continue an event pain-free. Metabolic waste is quickly dispersed and lymphatic flow increased.
Effects
While sports massage effectively assists athletes to prepare for an event or to continue participating in a competition, it also has longer lasting effects designed to treat injuries. According to the Sports Massage Association, the strokes can break up stubborn scar tissue and stretch tightened muscles to prevent spasms. Pre-event sports massage can relax athletes and reduce performance anxiety.
Considerations
Sports massage therapists might specialize in various techniques. Specific training allows sports massage therapists to effectively deliver direct benefits to their clients. Methods offered by different therapists include injury recovery or prevention. A therapist might specialize in training modalities or spend most of her time delivering massages on-site at competitions.
Warning
Trained sports massage therapists look for injuries that can require additional medical assistance, and identify when massage might be contraindicated, such as when the therapist suspects a blood clot. Broken bones should never be massaged and a sports massage therapist will call for medical assistance when an athlete's breathing is compromised.
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