Tim Paine - The Complete Guide to Sports Massage

Brian Webster MCSP, whom I have tutored with for some years and whose knowledge constantly reminds me of how much more there is to learn.

The many sports massage students whom I have had the pleasure to work with. Colleagues, past and present, at the University of Bedfordshire for some great team achievements.

Stephanie Croxton for her support and expertise with regard to this book and Aromasport.

Professor Michael Benjamin, senior anatomist at Cardiff University, for his invaluable advice on chapter 3.

Peter Sheard for his constant support as a valued colleague and for his knowledge in writing chapters 4 and 11. I have enjoyed working with Peter, sharing ideas, and relying on his considerable expertise for many years.

Colleagues at Sports Therapy UK for their support in helping me complete this book.

The players at Finchley RFC for allowing me to work with them, and for the superb camaraderie I have enjoyed with them.

With more and more people participating in an increasing number of sports at all levels, there is a growing demand for professionally trained people who offer a variety of sport-related skills. Massage has been used for thousands of years and in recent decades has re-emerged as a recognised method to enhance the physical, physiological and psychological wellbeing of the active person. In traditional medicine and all forms of therapy, evidence-based practice has led to increasing interest from researchers and many traditionally held beliefs are being challenged.

As you will discover in this book, the demands placed upon the professional sports massage practitioner are many. In your day-to-day work you will be faced with opportunities to practise in a number of settings and draw on a broad base of knowledge. You will be required to appreciate the workings of the human body, understand the effects of exercise and the benefits of massage. To achieve this you must undertake sound training and carry out extensive practice in order to perfect your skills.

If you have decided to enter the field of sports massage, The Complete Guide to Sports Massage offers the information necessary to fulfil your training and become professionally qualified. From the science of sports massage to the much broader range of manual and interpersonal skills, this book will help you develop a successful practice.

Tim Paine

What is sports massage?

Sports massage is a form of massage involving the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit a person engaged in regular physical activity. Soft tissue is connective tissue that has not hardened into bone and cartilage and includes skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a form of connective tissue that lines and ensheathes the other soft tissues). Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury.

Where did sports massage originate?

Massage is recorded as one of the earliest forms of physical therapy and was used over 3000 years ago in China, India and Greece. Its popular use in the Western world is largely due to the work of Per Henrik Ling (17761839), who developed the form of massage now known as Swedish massage. Ling developed his own style of massage and exercise to help fencers and gymnasts, gaining international recognition in the process. Many of his ideas have formed the foundations of modern sports massage. Today, there are many forms of massage available to assist us in maintaining our health and wellbeing. Sports massage has been accepted in America, Canada and Australia for many years now, while in the UK, the practice only became known and more widely used in the 1990s. Very few courses were available until then (see also ).

The benefits of sports massage

How does sports massage benefit people who exercise?

Sports massage benefits people who exercise by assisting in the processes of overcompensation and adaptation. During and after exercise, the bodys systems adapt to cope with the increased stresses placed on them. These adaptations affect the muscles, the bones, the tissues, the nerves and the brain. In the right measure and at the right frequency, regular exercise enables the body to cope with increased levels of stress (overload), which allows the body to exercise at higher intensities or for longer durations. This is possible because of a process called over-compensation. While the body is recovering from overload as a result of exercise, the body overcompensates to increase its power of resistance to future stress.

How the body overcompensates or adapts to exercise depends on the type of stress placed on it. Training programmes for fitness or sport are based on the principle of specificity, which states that the adaptations will be specific to the type of stress. For example, a soccer player, who requires bursts of explosive power over short distances, will need a training programme that includes specific exercises to improve speed. On the other hand, a marathon runner, who requires a high level of aerobic efficiency to complete the long distance, needs a training programme that focuses on improving endurance.

The manipulation of soft tissue prior to and after exercise promotes physical, physiological, neurological and psychological changes that aid performance and particularly recovery. Some examples of the benefits for the exerciser are:

the release of muscle tension and pain;

the removal of waste products such as acetic acid and carbon dioxide;

reduced discomfort from DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) as a result of vigorous exercise;

and improved posture and flexibility.

Further details on the effects of exercise and sports massage on the body, and on how sports massage can aid the exerciser (hereafter referred to as the athlete), are explained in of this book, The science of sports massage.

Who can benefit from sports massage?

Anyone who engages in physical activity for the purpose of sport or fitness irrespective of age, level of fitness or level of training can benefit. Athletes with injuries or problems that are inhibiting performance will find that the stimulatory effects of sports massage encourage the healing process. Recreational and competitive athletes following a regular training programme will benefit during recovery, and through the early detection of any problems arising from training stress. Athletes engaged in sporting events or competitions can benefit before, during and after the event, depending on whether the need is for the release of muscle tension, relief from soreness, relaxation, etc.

Sports massage and sports therapy

Sports massage is one of the skills utilised in the practice of sports therapy. In addition to massage, sports therapy also includes the management and treatment of sports injuries, exercise therapy and rehabilitation, and sports nutrition.

Is sports massage a recognised form of therapy?

Sports massage has become more popular as the number of people participating in sport and fitness and the physical demands placed on athletes has increased. Many athletes are being introduced to sports massage and are increasingly aware of the benefits. While it is a recognised practice in the United States, Canada, Australia and some European countries as mentioned above, acceptance in the UK has been a slow process. In addition, a lack of scientific evidence to support the anecdotal benefits of sports massage has hindered its development.