Type of Sports Massage

Pre-event sports massage is done to help prevent serious athletic injury. It helps to warm up the muscles, stretching them and making them flexible for optimal athletic performance. A pre-event massage stimulates the flow of blood and nutrients to the muscles, reduces muscle tension, loosens the muscles, and produces a feeling of psychological readiness. Pre-event massage is a stimulating, superficial, fast-paced, rhythmic massage that lasts for 10 to 15 minutes. Emphasis is on the muscles used in the sporting event, and the goal is for the athlete to feel that his or her body is “perfect” physically. This warm-up massage is given in addition to the physical warm-up; it is not a substitute. This style of massage can be used from 3 days before the event until immediately preceding the event. Massage techniques that require extensive recovery time or are painful are strictly contraindicated. Be very careful of overworking any area. Sports pre-event massage should be general, nonspecific, light, and warming. Gliding, kneading, and compression methods are commonly used. Avoid localized friction, deep heavy strokes, stretching, and joint-specific work. Avoid uncomfortable techniques. Such a massage should be pain-free! It is suggested that only massage therapists who work on an ongoing basis with a particular athlete should give the athlete a pre-event massage because they know the athlete’s training and adaptive processes.

Inter competition massage, given during breaks in the event, concentrates on the muscles being used or those about to be used. Techniques are short, light, and focused. Localized shaking, gliding, and kneading are appropriate.

Recovery massage focuses primarily on athletes who want to recover from a strenuous workout or competition when no injury is present. The method used to help an athlete recover from a workout or competition is similar to a generally focused, full-body massage, using any and all methods that support a return to homeostasis. Whenever athletes exercise heavily, their muscles suffer micro traumas. Small amounts of swelling occur in the muscle because of tiny tears. Post-event sports massage helps reduce the swelling caused by micro traumas; loosens tired, stiff muscles; helps maintain flexibility; promotes blood flow to the muscle to remove lactic acid and waste build-up; and reduces cramping. In addition, post-event massage helps speed the athlete's recovery time and alleviates pulls, strains, and soreness.

Maintenance sports massage is done at least once a week as a regular part of athletic training programs, although professional athletes who have their own massage therapists may have maintenance massage daily. Maintenance massage increases the flow of blood and nutrients to the muscles. It also keeps the tissues loose so that different layers of muscle slide easily over each other. Maintenance sports massage also helps reduce the development of scar tissue while increasing flexibility and range of motion.

Remedial, rehabilitation, medical, and orthopedic massage are interrelated terms. Remedial massage, which is used for minor to moderate injuries, applies all methods presented in this text. In contrast, rehabilitation massage is used for more severe injury or as part of the post surgical intervention plan. If the injury or surgery is related to the bones or joints, it can be considered orthopedic massage.