Sports Massage for Athletic Training

Training massages are given throughout the training stage of athletic performance. An athlete will have an event in mind and begin a regimen of training as needed to reach that goal. They begin with building a base of strength and endurance and continue to attain maximum performance level. Massages can be given before, or after a workout depending on the needs of the athlete. Treatments are geared toward the areas of highest stress during the workout. Each sport varies as does each athlete's stress points.

Benefits of Massage for Athletes in Training

• Faster recovery from micro damage and trauma from workouts.
• Increase in flexibility and range of motion.
• Relieve fatigue and rejuvenate.
• Reduces the strain of repetitive motions.
• Reduces the healing time of injuries.

General Guidelines

The main goal is to keep an athlete injury free. What do you need to do, to accomplish this?

Find out what their schedules are like. Do they lift weights, run, and stretch, drink enough water?

Are they doing more strength training, endurance training, or both? Are they sore from tightness, or lactic acid build up?

Massage Before a Workout Guidelines

Massage before a workout can make an athlete feel weaker and un-energized. They may not even want to do their workout after the session. Be sure to know what the athlete needs before proceeding and warn them as to the effects of such a treatment. Once you get to know their schedule and training methods, you will be able to determine, if a session should be done before workout or after a workout.

• Find out, when they last worked out, and what they did in the workout.
• What areas are tight, fatigued or overstressed.
• Check to see, when they will be working out. That day? A few hours away? The next day?
• The time may influence the type and length of massage session.
• Work to increase flexibility and range of motion.
• Know your athlete's event. Ask them. They know where they hurt and take the most stress.
• Look at the athlete's overall body alignment to determine areas of higher stress.
• If they are fatigued you may want to use more effleurage and other strokes to drain lactic acid build up. If they are tight, you may want to use Trigger point methods.

Massage After Workout Guidelines

• Find out, what they did today and provide treatment accordingly. How did they feel today? When is their next workout?
• Do they need flushing out, or relief from tightness? Are there other areas not directly involved in their activity that may be bothering them?