Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with the Nations leading athletes from a wide range of sporting genres. It’s because of this incredible experience that I have developed the techniques and methods that have seen athletes and people, from all walks of life, manage heavy training loads, avoid overuse injuries and feel confident in their ability to back up each training session.
What Should You Expect During A Session?
Sports massage uses a tailored approach to manage the increasing intensity and loading of your sport-specific training. Its effectiveness in speeding up recovery encourages optimal performance.
At the beginning of every treatment, it is important for me to have a complete understanding of your training. Once I understand what your training looks like, it’s important to know how your body is coping, and the types of “niggles” you may be experiencing. If there isn’t much to report by way of “niggles”, then the sports massage will be based around all muscle groups used repetitively during training and/or are required to produce the most amount of force.
You may experience some discomfort throughout this type of treatment but the most important thing to remember is that I will work within your comfort level to achieve maximum effectiveness.
We will find your pain threshold and work just below it.
As with your training, the more massage you get, the better it feels and you will see the benefits the more consistent you get them.
The Undeniable Effects
Sports massage can be beneficial to people who do heavy workouts at the gym, and even 9-5 employees who are constantly sitting by their desks all day long. So, not just athletes for this type of massage!
Sports massage will target deep muscles, aiming to realign fibres and connective tissues, and encourage lymphatic stimulation to assist in any swelling. Regular sessions of sports massage will increase your joints’ mobility and flexibility, thus reducing the risks of getting injuries during sporting events or high-intensity exercises.
Researchers at McMaster University reported that massage following an intense workout actually causes muscles to enlarge and grow new mitochondria. Don’t go glass-eyed on me yet. The Mitochondria in our cells (known as the powerhouse) are responsible for converting nutrients into energy. And I think we can all agree energy is everything.
When Do You Need This Type Of Massage?
There are four answers to this question.
1. Pre-Event
This is designed to stimulate a particular area or muscle that will be exerted during your sports event or physical activity. This is typically given 15 to 45 minutes before the event.
2. Post-Event
This aims to normalise the tissue two hours after your sports event or physical activity.
3. Restorative
This is given to athletes who are training for an event or those looking to improve their current personal bests. Regular sessions received while training will help your recovery, allow you to avoid injuries and thus, train harder and more effectively.
4. Rehabilitative
This is designed to ease the pain caused by an injury as well as normalise the affected tissue.