| Sports massage techniques relieve | | | | lesions and separate the muscle fibers. The |
| musculo-skeletal stress and help bring back the | | | | process can be quite uncomfortable, if not painful. |
| muscles to a relaxed state. The various massage | | | | It helps reduce hypersensitivity and any type of |
| styles involve a complete conditioning program for | | | | muscle spasm on the tissue. Friction also helps |
| sports persons, as they offer immense benefits | | | | stretch the tissue that cannot be stretched in |
| to athletes. A sports massage includes not just | | | | normal course. |
| the exercise, but also care for the injuries and | | | | Benefits of A Sports Massage |
| corrosion that occurs due to strenuous | | | | This type of massage is normally used before, |
| performance. | | | | during, and after a performance. The purpose of |
| The Three Main Types Of Techniques | | | | such techniques is to prepare the sportsperson |
| The predominantly used sports massage | | | | for peak performance, to eliminate fatigue and |
| techniques are effleurage, petrissage and friction, | | | | muscle stress, and also prevent injuries. It tones |
| depending upon the requirement of the athlete. | | | | the body gradually for extreme overuse during a |
| The pressure strokes are mainly directed towards | | | | performance. |
| the heart to increase lymphatic flow. Smaller | | | | Other benefits include... |
| strokes are given to stretch the muscle fibers. | | | | - Helps prevent injuries, caused by overuse and |
| 1. Effleurage | | | | wear-and-tear. |
| Effleurage is the initiation of a sports massage | | | | - Helps get in good shape faster and maintains |
| and is carried out with increasing deep pressures | | | | general body health. |
| using the whole palm. The strokes are directed | | | | - Ensures faster recovery from intense workouts. |
| towards the heart to improve lymphatic drainage | | | | - Improves muscle power and stamina. |
| and blood circulation. The return strokes are light | | | | - Helps release any kind of lactic acid build-up in |
| and follow a different path. Effleurage is also used | | | | the overworked muscles. |
| to finish a massage session, to remove waste | | | | - Boosts performance. |
| and increase oxygen flow to the area. It is done | | | | - Helps lessen pain by increased release of the |
| with light strokes to completely relax the client. | | | | body's natural endorphins. |
| Benefits include... | | | | Warnings |
| - Improved blood circulation | | | | Athletes suffering from any of the following |
| - Helps find out any tissue abnormalities | | | | conditions should definitely consult a physician |
| - Warming up tissues | | | | before undertaking any kind of sports massage |
| - Muscle relaxation | | | | technique: |
| - Stimulation of nerve endings | | | | - Infectious skin disease such as herpes |
| 2. Petrissage | | | | - Heavy bruising |
| The strokes of petrissage include kneading and | | | | - Hemophilia |
| movements, such as lifting, skin rolling, wringing, | | | | - Cancer |
| knuckling, pressing, and freeing of the muscle | | | | - Hernia |
| tissue. This massage technique is mainly used on | | | | - Inflammation due to tissue damage |
| deep tissues to improve flow of fluids, break | | | | - Osteoporosis |
| down any type of adhesions or nodules, stretch | | | | - Tumors |
| the muscle fibers, and finally relax the muscles. | | | | - Varicose veins |
| The advantages include... | | | | - High blood pressure |
| - Quick warm up of the major muscles | | | | - Traumas such as open wounds, muscle tears, |
| - Pain reduction | | | | sprained ligaments, burns |
| - Helps repair damaged tissue | | | | A massage along with any of the contraindications |
| - Improves muscle elasticity | | | | can prove to be more detrimental rather than |
| - Preventative massage improves lymphatic | | | | beneficial. Nevertheless, sports massages, if done |
| drainage and blood circulation | | | | correctly, are perhaps the most effective therapy |
| 3. Friction | | | | for easing muscle strain and restoring the |
| Friction is mainly therapeutic in nature and is used | | | | musculo-skeletal balance. |
| for deeper movements so as to break down | | | | |