Sports massage can be divided into four types: pre-event, post-event, maintenance, and rehabilitation. In this article, we will examine how sports massages are used, their benefits, a brief overview of the techniques that are used, and how they help athletes improve their performance and recover faster. There are various massage techniques , each with its own purpose.
While there are 11 different massage techniques and variations available to massage therapists, the most commonly used are the following:. The purpose of this massage is to prepare athletes for competitions or training sessions. Pre-event massage stimulates blood flow and nutrients to the muscles, reduces muscle tension, and prepares the body for the upcoming event. This massage is performed to prevent the risk of serious injury to the athlete and to prepare them for action. It is typically done about four hours before the event for minutes and involves light massage like effleurage , friction, tapotement , and vibration — but not petrissage.
Pre-event sports massage therapy may be administered much earlier, from up to 72 hours before the event. This will also be a light session as a deeper massage would leave the muscles sore, which is not practical or desirable for an athlete so close to a competition. During this type of massage, effleurage is used to stretch the main active muscles and promote nutrient flow, friction is used to warm up the skin and promote blood circulation, and tapotement is used to stimulate nerves and muscles.
This therapy should be applied after the athlete has completed their event or game, ideally within 72 hours. A delay of up to 72 hours is necessary because athletes must rehydrate, recuperate, stretch, and cool down before receiving a post-event massage. Athletes can also utilize ice baths to aid recuperation after extremely rigorous events. Post-event massage will start with effleurage and then move to the deep tissue massage with petrissage, friction, tapotement, and vibration as this will stimulate the removal of lactic acid, increase the flow of recovery nutrients to the affected areas, identify pain trigger points in the muscles and can reduce the effect of DOMS or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.
As you can see, all five massage techniques are common in post-event sports massage. It can help reduce inflammation and move lactic acid and other waste products out, allowing for faster recovery and improved performance before the next event.
