Sports Massage Techniques
Sports Massage Techniques
Embedded Files
Effleurage
Effleurage
What is it?
What is it?
Long gentle (or deep) strokes pushing blood towards the heart.
Why it's done
Why it's done
It warms up the muscles by encouraging blood flow and lymphatic return.
Petrissage
Petrissage
What is it?
What is it?
A kneading motion to lift, squeeze and roll soft tissues. Starts to help the deeper muscles.
Why it's done
Why it's done
Increases mobility between layers of tissue, stretches muscles fibres and loosens muscle adhesions.
Frictions
Frictions
What is it?
What is it?
Small, deep pressure applied back and forth over isolated areas.
Why it's done
Why it's done
Can separate adhesions and promote alignment of collagen fibres.
Vibrations
Vibrations
What is it?
What is it?
Shaking or oscillatory movements applied rhythmically to an area.
Why it's done
Why it's done
Can have a sedative effect (helps you relax). Helps to loosen scar tissue and stimulate blood circulation.
Soft Tissue Release
Soft Tissue Release
What is it?
What is it?
Soft Tissue Release involves applying pressure to the muscle while it is actively or passively stretched. The aim is to isolate and lengthen specific muscle fibres that are tight or have developed adhesions.
Passive: The therapist applies a "lock" or pressure to a specific muscle and then moves the client's body to stretch the muscle, all while the client remains relaxed.
Active: The therapist applies pressure to the muscle, and the client actively moves the affected body part, stretching the muscle against the therapist's resistance.
How I do it?
How I do it?
I'll assess the tissue for locations of tightness, knots or adhesions.
Position you in a way that we can effectively pin the muscle to stretch the area.
Pin the muscle or lock it in place.
Move the body part to lengthen the muscle in a slow and controlled manner.
Repeat this multiple times to release the pressure.
Things to consider:
Things to consider:
Benefits: It's highly effective for targeting a specific area. The technique can help to restore muscle length and flexibility which can improve the clients range of movements and reduce pain.
Risks: Can be uncomfortable during the application of pressure. At times it may cause temporary bruising. Sometimes isn't the right strategy if there is an acute injury, open wounds or certain medical conditions.
Connective Tissue Therapy
Connective Tissue Therapy
What is it?
What is it?
Connective Tissue Therapy (CTT) focuses on manipulating the body's fascia, a type of connective tissue that envelops and supports muscles as well as other structures. When the fascia becomes tight or restricted due to injury, trauma or poor posture it can cause discomfort. This is sometimes called 'myofascial release'.
How I do it?
How I do it?
Look for areas of fascial restriction these may feel dense, ropey or thickened.
Apply pressure in slow deep strokes along the fascial lines.
Encourage you to breath to allow for a deeper release of fascia.
Potentially add in movement to encourage you to stretch the tissue further.
Things to consider:
Things to consider:
Benefits: This can improve flexibility and range of motion resulting in a reduction of discomfort. It can also help to reduce stress and promote relaxation by simulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Risks: Can be intense and cause discomfort when doing it, especially in restricted areas. It may lead to an increase in temporary discomfort or bruising. This technique is not appropriate for people with fragile blood vessels or bleeding disorders.
Transverse Frictions
Transverse Frictions
What is it?
What is it?
Transverse frictions are similar to frictions how ever they are carried out perpendicular to the direction of the muscle, tendon or ligament fibres. The goals is to break down scar tissue and adhesions, and promote functional scar tissue after an injury.
How I do it?
How I do it?
Identify the location of the scar tissue or adhesion.
Put the affected tissue on a slight stretch (is a muscle belly) or in a slack position (if a tendon) to expose the fibres.
Apply firm, deep pressure in a short transverse manner across the injured site.
The friction is applied for several minutes and should gradually become less painful. It should be repeated every other day.
Things to consider:
Things to consider:
Benefits: Helps break down restrictive scar tissue, leading to improved mobility and function; promotes proper healing and realignment of collagen fibres.
Risks: There is a lot of discomfort when doing this technique. Skin can become irritated or blistered if not performed correctly. May not be suitable on acute, inflamed injuries of people with skin conditions.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy
What is it?
What is it?
Trigger points are discrete, focal sports located in a taut band of muscle. These sports are tender to touch and produce pain both locally and referred pain in other parts of the body. Trigger point therapy involves applying sustained pressure to these specific point to deactivate them and release the muscle tension.
How I do it?
How I do it?
Palpate looking for a hard nodule or knot.
Apply deep pressure directly to the trigger point.
Listen to the feedback of the client and identifying how much pressure can comfortably tolerate.
Hold the trigger point until it releases which can take over a minute.
Stretch the affected muscle afterwards to restore its full length and function.
Things to consider:
Things to consider:
Benefits: Highly effective for reducing pain and muscle tension associated with trigger points. Can improve the muscles function and range of motion.
Risks: Can have a high level of discomfort during the pressure application. May cause temporary soreness. Not suitable for area of skin that are infected or have open wounds or fragile blood vessels.
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
What is it?
What is it?
Muscle Energy technique is a for of manual therapy that uses the muscle's own energy to lengthen and relax it. The client is an active participant, you contract against the therapists resistance. This is followed by a period of relaxation where the muscle is stretched further.
How I do it?
How I do it?
Assess which muscle has a decreased range of motion.
Position the target muscle to the point just before it starts to feel uncomfortable.
Ask the client to perform a gentle contraction to the target muscle for 5-10 seconds, while the movement is restricted.
Ask the client to relax and exhale.
Stretch the muscle to reach a slightly further restrictive barrier.
Repeat 2 or 3 times to achieve a greater range of motion.
Things to consider:
Things to consider:
Benefits: gentle yet highly effective for increasing range of motion. Low risk of injury compared to passive stretching.
Risks: Requires patient cooperation and cooperation, not suitable for uncooperative clients. Not suitable for certain issues like fractures, or people with sever osteoporosis.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse