Sports Massage Techniques
Effleurage(stroking) Light superficial strokes warm the area up to start the massage. I relaxation massage oil which is infused with essential oils to enhance relaxation and provide a smooth medium for massage. Baby oil sometimes causes skin irritation which is why I choose to use high quality massage products. Deeper effleurage loosens the muscle fibres and allows me to feel for any areas of tightness. Deeper strokes always go towards the heart to promote an increase in circulation, with a lighter stroke on the return. Effleurage is performed in between other techniques to flush out any particles loosened up by deeper techniques. Deeper strokes can be applied using the forearms , fists, heel of hands and elbows.
Benefits :
- Aids relaxation
- Stimulates circulation
- Removes dead cells from the surface of the skin
- Soothes nerve endings
- Relaxes muscles fibres
- Increases sebum production keeping skin smooth and soft
- Reduces swelling
- Invigorates, if quick strokes are used.
Petrissage (kneading) This is a rhythmic two handed massage technique which stimulates the circulation, loosens and softens the tissues and has a great warming effect. A steady rhythm is maintained and the technique travels up and down the muscle.
Benefits :
- Increases circulation
- Produces heat
- Loosens adherent tissue
- Improves tone and elasticity of muscles
- Relieves low backache
- Nourishes joints and ligaments improving mobility
Squeezing Tissues and muscles are ‘picked up’ and squeezed gently. This has a pumping effect on the circulation.
This is the deepest technique used in massage and is targeted at specific areas of soft tissue damage.
Frictioning and trigger points these are are techniques to work on muscles with specific tight areas which can be felt as little lumps or hardness. The area is located by gentle palpation using fingers and thumbs and then pressed until the lump lessens. This is sometimes uncomfortable but you will always be asked how it is feeling. Massage should never be painful.
When you attend for a massage you will be asked to place your clothes in a basket, leaving underwear on and cover up with towels provided. Areas that are massaged in full body massage are feet, legs, back, arms, shoulders and neck. This takes approximately 1 hour. Areas of the body not being massaged at the time will be covered in towels. If you are just having your legs massaged you are welcome to wear shorts.
Contraindications
In some circumstances massage is not an appropriate treatment, although in most cases just avoiding the affected area in localised conditions works well.
If you have any of the following conditions please make sure you consult your doctor or inform me before you have a massage.
- Bone or joint injuries
- Open wounds
- Skin conditions
- Infectious conditions
- Tumours
- Bleeding disorder (haemophilia)
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Severe bruising
- Heart disease
- Hepatitis or HIV
- Any condition requiring medical treatment
- Skin cancer (melanoma)
Before treatment you will complete a short questionnaire informing me in confidence of any medical problems and allergies. If you have other condition you wish to discuss with me or are unsure if massage is suitable for you, please let me know.
