Background/History
Like most therapies Sports Massage has ancient roots, dating back to Ancient Rome when a famous physician called Galen prescribed massage for Gladiators before and after training. In modern history during the 1924 Olympic Games a Finnish runner named Paavo Nurmi won 5 Gold medals across a series of running events and put much of credit down to the massage he received throughout the campaign. Later in 1996 Sport Massage Teams became prevalent in Olympic Teams and this trend has continued and grown throughout the sporting community with most Sports Clubs making use of Sports Massage Therapists all over the world.
So what is it??
Put simply, Sports Massage is a Deep Tissue Treatment with the Goal of decreasing tension, breaking down adhesions and other problems with the soft tissues, increase your mobility and Range of motion (ROM) at the area, and generally help to create a better MSK environment for you as an individual and increase your quality of wellbeing.
What does it involve?
Your initial session with a qualified Sports Therapist will first of all involve a consultation where you can discuss any MSK issues that you are presenting with, the therapist will ask specific questions in order to gauge what the problem could be. Following this the therapist is likely to perform observational assessment which can include: postural analysis, biomechanical analysis, ROM testing, Strength testing, Specific Injury Testing and palpation do that the therapist can come to a conclusion to what exactly your issue is and then devise the appropriate treatment for you.
Then what…
The treatment will then begin, when you see a Sports Therapist, we generally use a variety of techniques including Sports massage in order to address the issue. Some of these techniques include: Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, Massage, Joint Mobilistation/ Manipulation, Active/Passive Release Therapy, PNF stretching.
