Sports Massage

What is sports massage?

Sports massage therapy is founded on Swedish massage that involves muscles being stretched, kneaded and pummelled.  A variety of additional techniques are employed to release muscle tension and improve flexibility.  These techniques include:

  • Trigger Point Therapy – similar to techniques used in Thai and Shiatsu massage, firm prolonged pressure is applied to key points of muscular tension within the body.  This technique deactivates the trigger points releasing pain and tension.
  • Soft Tissue Release – this technique applies a very specific and localised stretch to elongate and realign muscle fibres that cannot be targeting with generalised stretching.
  • Connective Tissue Massage  – Individual muscles and muscle groups and sheathed in thin layer of tissue called fascia.  Connective tissue massage stretches and loosens fascia enhancing flexibility and promoting better posture.

Sporting Benefits

  • Enhanced sports performance due to improved flexibility and muscle balance
  • Increase rate of recovery between training sessions
  • Increase rate of recovery from injury
  • Prevention of injury and resultant drop in fitness level
  • Sporting career duration extended

Relaxation Benefits

Stress has a significant detrimental effect on health.  A range of regular bodily functions become less efficient when we are in a state of stress.  Blood vessels contract reducing circulatory efficiency.  The heart works overtime, breathing becomes shallow and rapid and digestion slows down.  Research suggests stress can contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure), ulcers and digestive disorders, mirgraines and depression.  Massage treatment reduces blood levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and can help prevent stress related illness.

Research projects including studies amongst individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer patients suggest that massage helps promote relaxation and decrease anxiety by increasing blood levels of the feel good hormone serotonin.

Back Health

Repetitive strain leads to accumulation of fibrous scar tissue within muscles.  Muscle imbalance disrupts both posture and movement patterns.  Deep tissue sports massage can both counteract the accumulation of scar tissue and restore muscle balance promoting better posture and movement and therefore improving back health.

Enhanced Circulation

Your body’s cells require a good circulation to maintain optimum health.  Good circulation supplies nutrients and oxygen and removes toxins and wastes from the cells.  Massage helps boost circulation by causing your blood vessels to dilate and pushing blood back towards the heart.

Beauty Benefits

Massage has and exfoliating and toning effect and can therefore improve the health of your skin.  Skin health is further enhanced by stimulation of the sebaceous and sweat glands that keep your skin clean, cool and lubricated.  Massage helps improve appearance by reducing cellulite and increasing muscle tone.

Immune System Supported

According to research in Florida HIV patients who were given regular massage treatment had elevated white blood cell count.  Regular sports massage treatment may therefore strengthen the immune system and lessen the incidence of common ailments such as cold and flu.