Sports Massage

Sports massage refers to a set of massage techniques used primarily for dealing with sports related activity: preparation for a sports event, sports injury prevention and recovery, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. Unlike many forms of massage, the primary objective is not relaxation. Sports massage aims at addressing imbalances in the muscles, dealing with soft tissue issues and scar tissue and overall musculoskeletal condition.

Sometimes there is strain caused by overuse of muscles.  Sometimes there is weakness in an area which has potential for client injury. Sports massage can enhance circulation, initiate healing, increase mobility and address scar tissue.

There are a variety of techniques that are used for specific reasons:
• Effleurage: Based on a French word ‘effleurer’ meaning to stroke as one would a flower or to stroke very lightly. It is usually an introductory stroke to assess skin tissues and muscle tone, to initiate relaxation in the client and to spread any lubricant being used on the body. The stroke is long and rhythmic and assists with moving blood and lymph.
• Friction A very focused stroke using the fingers in a very specific area of the body. The fingertips are pressed into the skin and move in a circular motion or transverse motion, across in a 90º angle. Friction is beneficial in breaking up knots under the surface.
• Petrissage: Based on the French word “petrire “ which means to knead. It combines a number of movements such as kneading where the skin tissue is lifted and while being compressed, rolled toward the bone or lifting in which the skin is lifted, squeezed and then let go.

The benefits of sports massage include: improved circulation, decreased pain, relaxed muscles, enhanced lymph drainage, better recovery time.

Individuals participating in regular physical activity will benefit from sports massage. Talk to a registered professional massage therapist to find a treatment plan best suited to your activity level.