Susan Findlay - Sports Massage

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PART I Getting Started With Sports Massage

PART II Sports Massage Techniques

PART III Applying Sports Massage

assage may be one of the oldest therapies still used today. At present more therapists than ever before are practicing an ever-expanding range of massage techniques. Many of these techniques are taught through massage schools and within degree courses. Our need now is to provide the best clinical and educational resources that will enable massage therapists to learn the required techniques for delivering massage therapy to clients. Human Kinetics has developed the Hands-On Guides for Therapists series with this in mind.

The Hands-On Guides forTherapists series provides specific tools of assessment and treatment that fall well within the realm of massage therapists but may also be useful for other bodyworkers, such as osteopaths and fitness instructors. Each book in the series is a step-by-step guide to delivering the techniques to clients. Each book features a full-colour interior packed with photos illustrating every technique. Tips provide handy advice to help you adjust your technique, and the ClientTalk boxes contain examples of how the techniques can be used with clients who have particular problems. Throughout each book are questions that enable you to test your knowledge and skill, which will be particularly helpful if you are attempting to pass a qualification exam. We've even provided the answers too!

You might be using a book from the Hands-On Guides for Therapists series to obtain the required skills to help you pass a course or to brush up on skills you learned in the past. You might be a course tutor looking for ways to make massage therapy come alive with your students. This series provides easy-to-follow steps that will make the transition from theory to practice seem effortless. The Hands-On Guides for Therapists series is an essential resource for all those who are serious about massage therapy.

hen asked to write this book, I was faced with the difficult task of determining the definition of sports massage within the industry. Is sports massage defined by the techniques we use and the manner in which we use them, or does the definition simply depend on the clients we work with? The answer is not clear cut because it varies not only from country to country but also from person to person.

Massage originated in ancient civilizations. In its simplest form, people would instinctively rub or hold an injured area in order to relieve pain. Massage has evolved into many forms, but the original elements are still evident in all types. Today a common definition has emerged from the name itself, sports massage, which is the application of a variety of soft tissue techniques to maximize the performance of athletes. This is partially true, but the manner in which we get our results will often include remedial techniques such as soft tissue release or muscle energy techniques. Furthermore, it can also be argued that the same techniques used in sports massage are not exclusive for athletes; rather, they can be applied to those who do not participate in any sport or have just a passing interest in physical activity. This is why there is such a wide variety of definitions of sports massage.

Whomever you are working with, massage has a holistic result despite the varying opinions about a lack of evidenced-based research on massage. It can be difficult to quantify data when conducting any research because there are so many variables to consider: the therapist, the client, the training, the style, and the techniques. Yet from my years of experience, I've seen how effective massage therapy can be, which is all the evidence I've needed to continue doing the job.

This book provides sports massage therapists with the essential tools for delivering a well-thought-out massage session in a sport or general context. Part I covers how to get started and what you need to consider before you start. It specifies when you should and should not use massage and the benefits that can be derived from handson therapy, and it features a quick-reference pathology section that will be useful throughout your career. Parts II and III focus on the application of the techniques by demonstrating multiple positions, which will allow you to form your own style. Part IV takes you through the assessment process using a variety of tools, beginning with a verbal consultation, moving on to visual assessments, and ending with movement and strength testing. Charts and questionnaires wi II help you design - your own consultation forms, or you can use the ones provided. The final chapters cover working in a sporting environment, whether at a local event or in an elite setting.