Sports massage can play an important part in the life of any sportsman or woman whether they are injured or not. Massage has a number of benefits both physical, physiological, and psychological.

Sports massage can help maintain the body in generally better condition, prevent injuries and loss of mobility, cure and restore mobility to injured muscle tissue, boost performance and extend the overall life of your sporting career.

Physical benefits of sports massage

Pumping – The stroking movements in massage suck fluid through blood vessels and lymph vessels. By increasing the pressure in front of the stroke, a vacuum is created behind. This is especially important in tight or damaged muscle tissue as a tight muscle will squeeze blood out like a sponge, depriving the tissues of vital nutrients and energy to repair.

Increased tissue permeability – Deep massage causes the pores in tissue membranes to open, enabling fluids and nutrients to pass through. This helps remove waste products such as lactic acid and encourages the muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients which help them recover quicker.

Stretching – Massage can stretch tissues that could not be stretched in the usual methods. Bundles of muscle fibres are stretched lengthwise as well as sideways. Massage can also stretch the sheath or fascia that surrounds the muscle, so releasing any tension or pressure build-up.

Break down scar tissue – Scar tissue is the result of previous injuries or trauma and can affect muscle, tendons, and ligaments. This can lead to inflexible tissues that are prone to injury and pain.

Improve tissue elasticity – Hard training can make tissues hard and inelastic. This is one reason why hard training may not result in improvements. Massage helps reverse this by stretching the tissues.

Opens micro-circulation – Massage does increase blood flow to tissues, but so does exercise. What massage also does is open or dilate the blood vessels and by stretching them enables nutrients to pass through more easily

Physiological benefits of sports massage

Pain reduction – Tension and waste products in muscles can often cause pain. Massage helps reduce this in many ways including releasing the body’s endorphins.

Relaxation – Muscles relax through heat generated, circulation, and stretching. Mechanoreceptors that sense touch, pressure, tissue length and warmth are stimulated causing a reflex relaxation.

Who Can Benefit From Sports Massage?

Anyone and everyone! Whether you are a seasoned competitor looking to improve your performance and achieve PB, new to sports and want to relax your aching muscles, are returning from an injury and keen to get going again or simply want to prevent injury following gentle jogs, a sports massage could benefit you.

When should I have a sports massage?

Sports massage can be effective during preparation, training, competition and recovery, though the emphasis of the massage will vary for each stage.

Routine maintenance massage: A regular massage treatment programme can be devised by a physiotherapist based on the individual’s requirements for their sport and level of participation. It can concentrate on particular muscle groups to help to maintain or improve the range of movement and flexibility and can target any area which are likely to cause the individual trouble or injuries to assist in their prevention. Your physiotherapist can also give you stretches and exercises to help maintain the benefits between each massage.

Massage for a specific event or competition: Massage before and after an event are used for specific purposes. Pre-event massage can be used alongside a participant’s warm-up to boost circulation and reduce muscle tension, whilst also assisting with mental preparation. Massage given following an event is used to enhance the body’s recovery process through reducing muscle spasms and metabolic build-up. Effective pre- and post- event massage can allow a participant to return more quickly to training and competition and reduce the risk of injury

Rehabilitation: If you are returning to a sport following injury, sports massage can aid in the rehabilitation process, it can speed healing and reduce discomfort. The techniques used inShould I have a Sports massage or physio assessment & treatment?

Sports massage is an excellent way to encourage fast recovery and assist in injury prevention. However if you have sustained an injury that is preventing you form participating in the sport that you love, or you are struggling to perform at your best due to a series of “niggles”, we would recommend that you book an appointment for a physio assessment and treatment which can address problems in more detail.

If you would like more information about sports massage, call us on 033017 59838 and speak to our team to arrange a FREE assessment or book your next appointment!