Overview
With the increased interest in sports and fitness, many people are taking advantage of sports massage. From individuals to the serious athlete, both encounter injury and soreness, and massage therapy helps athletes perform their best to reach their personal goals.
Benefits
- Prevent injury
- Stretches and lengthens shortened muscles
- Relieves muscle soreness and reduces spasms
- Speeds up removal of waste products by improving circulation
- Shortens recovery time allowing your muscles to rejuvenate
Usage
Massage is an important part of serious training. Registered massage therapy focuses on potential trouble spots before they become injuries. It’s preventative medicine for every athlete.
Training massage: Used regularly during training, it can improve flexibility, reduce spasms, flush lactic acid, and address any muscle issues before they impair performance. It helps prevent injury and shorten recovery time from sport-related injuries, such as tendinitis, sprains, and shin splints.
Pre-event massage: Done up to 1-hour before an event, it warms up muscles and tendons through the use of invigorating techniques in preparation for intense use. Used immediately prior to the event, pre-event work gives athletes the chance to mentally prepare for maximum performance. It should be done 5 – 6 days before the race.
Post-event: The day after a race, walk a few minutes and then jog easily for a kilometre. Gently stretch after your jog and then have a massage, while muscles are still warm and circulation is high. This helps relax tight muscles, relieve cramping, reduce recovery time and decrease muscle soreness.
Program of care
- Massage is recommended every 3 – 4 weeks generally and 1 – 2 times per week during training for an event
- Deep tissue massage should be done up to 72-hours before an event
- Myofascial release massage should be done up to 24-hours before an event
- Pre-event massage should be done up to 1-hour before an event
- Post-event massage should be done the day after an event
Insurance coverage
Sports massage therapy is not covered by OHIP, but many private insurance companies cover treatment from a massage therapist as part of their employee health benefit plan. Please consult your policy.