Understand the fundamentals of sports massage treatments

• A&P
• Higher Education (non-degree)

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR SPORTS MASSAGE 

THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

SPORTS MASSAGE TREATMENTS

UNDERSTAND THE FUNDAMENTAL OF SPORTS MASSAGE TREATMENTS 

What are you going to learn?

In this lesson you're going to learn to . . .

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WHEN SPORTS MASSAGE IS USED

Pre-event

 

• Used to prepare athletes for high-intensity activity.
• Uses tapotement massage techniques such as hacking, kneading and beating and pounding.

1.

Pre-event massage

• A short, invigorating massage normally proves extremely effective in 'psyching' up the athlete, mentally preparing them for exercise.

2.

• If the client shows excess nervousness or excitability, a more relaxing, massage treatment may be useful. Aiming to decrease stress levels and calm nerves before important competitions or races.
• It can also help increasing oxygen uptake and help delay the onset of lactic acid accumulation.

3.

• Not a replacement for a conventional 'warm up', pre event massage is an extremely efficient method to prepare muscles for stretching. 

4.

WHEN SPORTS MASSAGE IS USED

Pre-event

 

• Inter (between events) e.g. Athletics event
• Intra (within the same event) e.g. Half time of a football match 

1.

Inter / Intra-event massage 

• Used to minimise the likelihood of muscles tightening up during the short rest periods between breaks / multiple competitions/events held on the same day.

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• This kind of massage would follow a similar format to that of pre-event massage and should focus on the main muscles stressed.

3.

• Considering the feedback and any addtional input from the athlete to meet the needs of competition to aid peformance.  

4.

WHEN SPORTS MASSAGE IS USED

Pre-event

 

• A sports massage that can help aid recovery from intense activity.
• Usually performed from 30 minutes up to 72 hours after competition or activity. 

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Post-event massage

• A relaxing massage will help the athlete 'unwind' from the mental demands of intense training and competition. 
• WIll help treat tight muscles from occuring after exercise. An increase of tight muscles can lead to injuries such as muscle strains and tears. 

2.

• Long deep strokes (effleurage) in the direction of venous return, will aid in the removal of lactic acid and other metabolic wastes from muscles, aiding recovery. 

3.

• Passive stretching is also used to help regain normal muscle resting lengths. 
• Post-event massage helps treat and prevent delayed onset muscles, fatigue and tightness to aid recovery. 

4.

WHEN SPORTS MASSAGE IS USED

Pre-event

 

• The primary focus in sports massage for maintenance is to correct any soft tissue dysfunction caused by high intensity training or muscular imbalance and poor posture. 

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Maintenance massage

• It requires a detailed examination before treatment to establish the athlete's symptoms and the therapist's clinical objective findings.
• A range of massage techniques are used with focus upon a deeper tissue massage using a range of pertrissage techniques. 

2.

• A proposed massage strategy is then discussed and agreed, and treatment is then carried out using massage methods appropriate to the presentation and needs of the client.

3.

• After treatment, effectiveness is evaluated against the original treatment aims and the therapists initial findings from conducted objective assessments. 

4.

Match the description to the type of massage treatment

Pre-event

Inter/Intra

Post-event

Maintenance

To prepare the athlete

A invigorating massage

Avoid muscles tightening up

requires a detailed examination

Reduce soft tissue dysfunction

Effective in 'psyching' up

Aid the removal of lactic acid

proposed massage strategy

help the athlete unwind

mentally preparing

prepare muscles for stretching

After effectiveness is evaluated

between events or competitions

help recovery from activity

 Feedback focused from athlete 

SPORTS MASSAGE

ENVIRONMENT 

• The room should be warm, quiet, private and well ventilated. 

• The area must be kept clean and tidy with hand-washing facilities available and a supply of clean towels, linen and paper couch roll. 

• A bin for disposal of waste should also be available. 

Clinic environment

SPORTS MASSAGE

ENVIRONMENT 

• The ground should be level and stable and there should be no obvious hazards. 

• You should seek shelter from the elements and consider the use of a canopy, but avoid working underneath trees. 
• Towels should be used prudently by encouraging clients only to remove minimal clothing to maintain warmth and privacy.
• Massage should be done through clothing whenever possible.
• Keep hands clean by using alcohol wipes.

 

Outside environment

Paavo Nurmi from Finland brought his own personal massage therapist at which Olympic games?

1. 1935
2. 1942
3. 1972
4. 1924

COMPLEMENTARY SPORTS MASSAGE 

Sports massage can also be used to support and complement other therapies.

Chiropractic, Osteotherapy, Physiotherapy

Reducing physical, physiological and psychological tension before addtional or other manipulative therapies. 

Palliative care

By relaxing the whole body, promoting restful sleep and reducing mental stress. Helping to optimise quality of life and mitigating suffering among people with serious, complex, and possible terminal illnesses.

Cognitive therapies

Aiding cognitive therapies such as counselling, psychotherapy and cogntitive behaviour therapy by promoting improvement in well-being and mental health.   

What you have learnt

Following this lesson you should now be able to . . .

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Summarise the history and origins of massage 

Explain the development of sports massage 

Explain how sports massage can complement other therapies and treatments

Well done! Great job, you have now completed this lesson. 

Next up...The fundamentals of sports massage treatments.