The Advantage and Disadvantages of Sports Massage in Brisbane
October 13, 2022
The concentrated and methodical manipulation of the particular muscles employed in a particular sport is known as sports massage. It makes use of a number of techniques to lessen pain in the muscles, speed up healing, increase flexibility and range of motion, and enhance secure and efficient movement.
A sports massage therapist can help with pre- or post-performance goals, recovery, and training. Sports massage in Brisbane is frequently used by professional and recreational athletes, but it has advantages for anybody who exercises frequently.
This article describes the purpose of sports massage and the many massage techniques that could be advantageous. It also provides information on where you may locate a sports massage therapist near you.
What is Sports Massage?
With a reduced risk of injury or pain and a speedier recovery, different motions and techniques are employed to try to help an athlete's body attain optimal performance and physical conditioning.
Each sports massage treatment is customised to the demands of the client. Other physical therapy contexts and ailments other than sports, like carpal tunnel syndrome, are treated with some aspects of sports massage.
The following are some examples of sports massage techniques:
- Swedish-style bodywork
- Effleurage (stroking) (stroking)
- Petrissage (kneading) (kneading)
- Compression
- Friction
- Tapotement (rhythmic hitting) (rhythmic striking)
- Vibration
- Gliding
- Stretching
- Percussion
Effects of Sports Massage
Following a sports massage therapy, the client will go through physiological, psychological, and physical changes.
HYPOTHETIC EFFECTS
Depending on how it is used, sports massage can have either a sympathetic or parasympathetic influence on a subject's physiological systems.
The parasympathetic or relaxation response is generally preferred because it offers the following advantages:
- Decreased sympathetic or "stress" hormone production;
- Vasodilation of the blood and lymphatic vessels brought on by smooth muscle relaxation; and
- Due to the relaxation of the skeletal muscles, there is less neural stimulation (contraction) of the muscles.
When a sympathetic reaction takes place, the opposite impact is observed. The physical and mental reactions to receiving a sports massage are closely related, and any personal trainer or other fitness professional giving one should be aware of this. This means that the client's attitude and what they are advised to anticipate from the massage can have an impact on the final outcome.
PERSONAL IMPACTS
Sports massage can have a variety of physical impacts because it frequently involves pumping, squeezing, and stretching soft tissue.
These include enhanced blood, lymph, and other fluid flow as well as improved soft tissue movement. The muscle fibres might get separated from one another or from other soft tissue as a result of specific massage techniques.
Pros and Cons of Sports Massage
Sports massage in Brisbane, despite its misleading name, can be utilised to treat just about any injury in anyone.
Pros
- great for severe chronic issues and addressing acute injuries
- excellent for pre-event planning
- excellent for recovering after events
- extremely precise
- focuses on the issue areas
- frequently includes training and fitness guidance oriented toward science
Cons
- painstaking most of the time
- not terribly soothing
- frequently for treating really small regions
- might include different bodily positions
- it can take longer to consult with you
Should I schedule a session for 30 or 45 minutes?
An aspect of the treatment may be impaired if the appointment is too brief for the injury in question. This could result in a shorter, perhaps less fruitful consultation or a shorter massage, possibly both. For larger areas or more complicated injuries, a lengthier appointment is generally a good idea. A shorter session would be more appropriate for smaller, more focused areas.
The Advantages of Athletic Massage
These range from general well-being to particular advantages, which result from enhanced circulation and the relaxation and mobilisation of soft tissue, for instance:
- Due to the removal of metabolic waste products from the tissues, physical activity recuperation is improved.
- Increased healing and regeneration when vascular tissues receive more nutrients.
- Pain can be lessened by releasing tension in the muscles, clearing metabolic irritants and congestion from the body, and more.
- Improved movement range and efficiency will lower the chance of injury.
- Better posture and awareness of the client's positioning.
- Fewer muscle dysfunctional issues.
FOR ACUTE, SUB-ACUTE, AND CHRONIC INJURIES IN SPORTS MASSAGE
A medical practitioner frequently refers patients to personal trainers and sports massage therapists, although patients can also self-refer.
Whether the injury is acute, subacute, or chronic, the treatment should be properly targeted to support it.
ACTIVE SPORTS MASSAGE FOR ACUITY
The goal of a sports massage therapist during the acute stage of an injury should be to prevent further cell death and minimise any additional harm, pain, swelling, or bleeding.
The PRICE protocol is the name of the therapy for this stage. This signifies:
- Protection
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevate
At this point, it is not advisable to apply direct heat or heat via lotions and sprays because doing so will promote vasodilation and increased blood circulation, which are not ideal for an acute injury.
SUBTLE ACTIVE SPORTS MASSAGE
By improving the flow of blood and nutrients to the area, the sports massage therapy should seek to minimise the production of scar tissue at this stage.
Through the reduction of muscle atrophy, discomfort, and edema, sports massage can also aid in strengthening and improving mobility. This needs to be moderated, though, since excessively aggressive sports massage can cause newly healed injuries to bleed again and return to the acute stage.
'Frictions' will mobilise soft tissues to minimise the production of scar tissue, while general sports massage techniques can improve circulation and relieve discomfort. Additionally, encouraging the client to stretch gently is important. Muscle energy technique, a neuromuscular strategy that stimulates muscles to regain their pre-injury length, may also be used during a sports massage.
At this point, you can use heat, ice, and mild exercise, whether you get a professional to help you move the joint or you do it on your own.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can reduce inflammation and provide pain relief, but personal trainers and sports massage practitioners should advise customers to consult their doctor before taking these.
SPORTS MASSAGE FOR CHRONIC INJURIES
The sports massage therapist would assist their client in the chronic stage in regaining mobility, strength, flexibility, and proprioception. Depending on the type of injury, each client's final objective may be different, but in theory, it should involve getting back to their pre-injury levels of movement and fitness.
The client can also attempt more strenuous workouts at this point to increase flexibility, strength, and function.
CONCLUSION
The speed at which a client heals from an injury can have a substantial impact on everything in their life, from their employment and everyday activities to their mental health and general welfare. The practitioner of sports massage needs to have the appropriate amount of training and stay current with advancements in the field.