Many clients often ask me which period is the best time to have a Sports Massage during competition. The short answer is both before and after. However below I discuss the benefits of both Pre and Post competition massage so the client can decide for themselves which method suits them.
Pre Competition Massage
For Pre competition massage the aim is for the competitor to leave the clinic feeling good and prepared to compete, not lethargic. The type of massage used should be stimulating and brisk. The goals are to bring warmth to the superficial tissue of the body and increase blood flow to the deeper muscles. A good approach is to run the joints through their ranges of motion to increase lubrication and then to stretch the muscles gently.
Obviously, We never want to take the chance of injuring or pulling a muscle on an athlete right before the competition. Applying deep tissue massage or aggressively stretching an athlete right before the competition is often too much of a change for the body to handle.
A pre event massage should include these techniques:
• Friction to create heat to warm up the superficial tissue
• Compression to increase blood flow to the muscles
• Tapotement to stimulate the muscles
• Range of motion of the joints to increase or decrease stiffness
• Gentle stretching to prepare muscles for the warm-up
Post Event Massage
Post event massage can be administered immediately after the event or up to 48 hours after. Post-event massage is done to decrease muscle soreness and/or cramping and to facilitate a faster return to training after an athletic event.
A post-event massage is designed to aid the athlete in recovering from the activity; flush out the lactic acid buildup, reduce post-exercise soreness; and re-establish range of motion and blood flow to tight muscles. It also can give the athlete a big psychological lift. post-event massage should never be too painful to the client.
A typical post-event leg routine might consist of compressive effleurage for calming the nervous system and pushing fluid; pettrisage for easing tension in the muscle; compression for spreading muscle fibres and restoring blood flow; broadening strokes to lengthen tight muscles, and compressive effleurage as a finishing stroke to soothe. Following the massage, therapeutic stretching can be administered to relieve muscle tension and restore range of motion.
An effective post-event massage helps an athlete feel better immediately following a competition. Along with the great psychological boost, it allows the athlete to recover more quickly.
For more information, please email info@primaclinic.co.uk
