SPORTS MASSAGE

Massage has been used as a physical therapy for thousands of years and anyone who engages in physical activity for sports or fitness, regardless of age, fitness level or intensity of training, can benefit from sports massage.

Sports massage involves the manipulation of the soft (connective) tissues to benefit those who engage in any form of physical activity.

NB: Connective tissues are those that haven’t hardened into bone and cartilage such as skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (which encases the other soft tissues).

Sports massage can be used:

• Pre-event to prepare the body tissues for activity which in turn alerts the brain that activity is imminent thus stimulating the body to be ready to “perform” under increased physical demands.
• Post-event massage helps to remove toxins from the tissues that occur as a result of the physical demands placed upon them (e.g. lymph and lactic acid, Carbon Dioxide) and reduces discomfort from DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) which results from strenuous exercise.
• As a general regular therapy because Sports massage also relieves muscle tension and pain and helps improve posture and flexibility and helps soft tissue repair after injury.

Many of the aims of Sports massage such as injury prevention/recovery and post-exercise recovery are quite different from other forms of massage.

Your Sports Massage Therapist will have acquired an in depth knowledge of the 10 major systems that function in the body: Skeletal system, Muscular system, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Excretory(urinary), Endocrine(Hormonal), Integumentary(skin, hair, nails etc), and Reproductive system.

He or she will also have spent multiple hours on the practical aspects of Sports massage so that the client gets the greatest benefit possible from the treatment provided.

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF SPORTS MASSAGE:

If the client is feeling unwell or running a temperature because massage can will increase the circulation of toxins in the body. Exercise and massage should be avoided to allow the body time to recover.

Open wounds, recent bruising, acute muscle tears, sprained ligaments, chilblains, burns and sunburn must all be avoided in the initial (acute) healing phase.

Skin infections, Tumours, Thrombosis, Phlebitis (inflamed veins), 1^st 16 weeks of pregnancy when the lower back and abdomen should be avoided.

In  June 2017 Richard Harris, already an HCPC reg. Podiatrist/Chiropodist, undertook and passed, with a MERIT, his written and practical examinations in Sports Massage at Loughborough University where he had been undergoing training in this discipline. He is now able to offer this service, by appointment, either at his INSTEP clinic on John Street in Oakham or as a domiciliary (visiting) service.

Please contact us via telephone or email for more information.

Richard Harris is able to provide this treatment if required via INSTEP of Oakham. For more information please call 01572 759209