Sports Massage

http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/in_sports.htm
“At the highest level of performance massage can provide an extra edge to the athletes. Massage has become a necessary ingredient for a complete workout. A complete workout routine includes not only the exercise itself, but also caring for the wear-and-tear and minor injuries that naturally occur with strenuous movement. The holistic nature of massage make it an ideal complement to a total conditioning program.
Anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through movements such as running, hiking, swimming, dancing, strength training or other physical activities will benefit from a massage. There are others who engage in strenuous activities during their daily routines that are not normally classified as exercise but who also benefit from massage due to the extent of their activity level. High activity levels are often experienced by construction workers, gardeners, mothers with small children and others who use their bodies strenuously in their work.
Adding massage to your conditioning program lets you get into good shape faster, and with less stiffness and soreness. It helps you recover faster from heavy workouts, and reduces conditions which may cause injury. “

Sports Massage covers three main categories: event (pre- and post-), maintenance, and rehabilitation. Event massage takes place before an event (or workout), as part of warming up, or afterwards, to reduce the muscle spasms and metabolic buildup that occurs after intensive exercise. Maintenance massage is designed to help the athlete reach peak performance through a routine program of massage. Rehabilitation massage aids in the management of both acute and chronic injuries. These benefits are valuable not only for athletes, but for anyone who works out on a regular basis. Every sport uses muscle groups in a different way and therefore strokes and areas of the body concentratede on will need to suit the individual movements within the sport.

Pre-event or pre-workout massage (15-20 minutes)
• Warms up the muscles - getting the blood circulation going
• Allows muscle to warm-up without causing pre-event tiring
• Allows longer workout with reduced risk of injury
• Increases flexibility and range of motion (incorporate Stretching)
Post-event or post-workout massage (15 - 20 minutes)
• Relieves DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and in some cases cuts the recovery time in half
• Relieves muscle cramps and spasm
• Jump starts the process of removing lactic acid and metabolic build up in muscles that occurs with exercise. Enhances elimination of metabolic by-products (hydrogen ions and lactic acid) of exercise.
Maintenance / Rehabilitation massage (1 - 1 ½ hours)
• Increases flexibility and range of motion
• Speeds up the body's recovery process by helping to eliminate lactic acid and waste matter from muscles
• Reduces muscle soreness, stiffness, cramps and pain
• Reduces the risk of injury through proper stretching and event preparation, and through deep tissue massage
• Manages both acute and chronic injuries
• Improves muscle tone
• Reduces muscles adhesions and scar tissue formation by breaking down scar tissue into smaller particles that can be absorbed into the lymph vessels. Left alone, scar tissue can remain as hard as bone. Massage in post-acute or chronic stages will prevent this by stopping the cells from binding together
• Recharges and renews body
• Increases blood circulation and lymph flow
• Maximizes the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow
• Enhances the body's innate healing abilities