Introduction to Sports Massage

Who is Sports Massage For?

There is a common misconception that sports massage is purely for elite athletes who undergo intense training - I guess that is down to the title. However sports massage is a fantastic treatment for everyone. This article will hopefully iron out a few queries and give you a better idea on what sports massage treatments are all about.

"We all move on a daily basis and so sports massage is a really versatile form of massage for those who have a manual or labour intensive job and those who have a more sedentary lifestyle".

What is Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a form of massage involving the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit a person engaged in regular physical activity. Physical activity doesn't just mean those of us that participate in sport or a hobby, it actually includes everyone! We all move on a daily basis and so sports massage is a really versatile form of massage for those who have a manual or labour intensive job and those who have a more sedentary lifestyle. Although sports massage is a more concentrated treatment is should never be painful, every session is tailored to the individual and so pressure is applied accordingly.

What is soft tissue?

Soft tissue includes skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a form of connective tissue that lines the other soft tissues in a sheath). Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury. Similarly sports massage can help to improve muscle condition, flexibility and suppleness of soft tissue for those who are more stationary or are recovering from injury.

Massage through History

Massage is recorded as one of the earliest forms of physical therapy and was used over 3000 years ago in China, India and Greece. Its popular use in the Western world is largely due to the work of Per Henrik Ling (1776 - 1839), who developed the form of massage now known as Swedish massage. Ling developed his own style of massage and exercise to help fencers and gymnasts, gaining international recognition in the process. Many of his ideas have formed the foundations of modern sports massage. In modern day, there are many forms of massage available to assist us in maintaining our health.

Sports massage has been accepted in America, Canada and Australia for many years now, while in the UK, the practice only became known and more widely used in the 1990s.

See how sports massage can help you

Hopefully this article has helped to clarify what sports massage is all about and who it is for. If you now feel like you would like some more information or could benefit from a treatment then book in with Kinetics Sports Massage today.