9 Nov 2006
The primary goal of sports massage is to help the athlete achieve optimal performance, maintain their performance, and to aid in the healing of injuries.
Performance Enhancement:
· Reduction of tension in hypertonic muscles
o Muscles that are too tight do not always function properly, can be painful when used, and may be injured when suddenly stretched during competition
· Increase in tension and tone in inhibited muscles
o Can increase the strength in muscle that has neurologically shut down
· Correction of muscle firing patterns
o Muscles are used more efficiently
o React quicker
· Reduction of swelling in tissues
o After a heavy workout, muscles may have inflammation (DOMS) that causes stiffness, soreness, and feelings of heaviness in the legs.
· Correction of postural distortions that can effect joint ROM and biomechanics
· Increase in flexibility
· Stress reduction
o Athletes often need to mentally unwind from the stress of competition
· Release of trigger points
o Areas of neurological activity that when stimulated refer a pattern of pain distal to the actual site of the dysfunction
Injury:
· Reduction of edema
· Reduction of scar tissue
· Increase in pliability of scar tissue
· Pain reduction
· Correction of muscular compensation patterns
· Increase of circulation to injured areas
· Maintenance of flexibility and ROM
· Reduction in pain and discomfort
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