Download MASSAGE FOR ATHLETES - American Massage Therapy

Samuel Blechman
Copyright
2010
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Introduction
Classification of sport massage
Recommended training, equipment, supplies,
emollients, and MT clothing
Athletic training process
Anatomy and Physiology
Most common sport massage techniques
Event massage
Effects & Benefits of Sport Massage
References
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Sport massage is a combination of special forms of massage
developed to help athletes, physically active people, as well
as those with high levels of stress reach their peak
performance
The biggest progress in the development of sport massage
was reached in China, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Russia.
In a last few decades tremendous progress the science of
sport massage has been made in US.
Sport massage is incorporated as a part of medical services
at Olympic Games and Professional competitions
Most effective techniques used for sport massage are based
on the gradual influence on tissue and reflex reaction
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Training massage serves to prepare the body for
peak performance
Preparation massage done just before
performance
Break massage - during performance to hasten
regeneration of energy and tissue and support
mental stability
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Anti-fatigue massage applied after a
performance
Relaxation massage - specific applications of the
standard effleurage, petrissage, vibration, and
friction techniques. Also can include massage
with guided relaxation
Neuromuscular techniques - Trigger point
/Tender point, Tension point, Neuromuscular
reeducation
Fluid technique massage – movement and
exchange of fluids facilitation
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Friction massage - friction techniques applied in
a general manner to create a stretching and
broadening effect in large muscle groups
Compression massage - rhythmic compression
into muscles used to create a deep hyperemia
and softening effect in the tissues also has a
stimulating effect
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Pre-event – preparation massage
Inter-competition massage
Post-event massage
Rehabilitative massage
Preventive massage
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Classic relaxation massage
 Deep tissue and myofascial techniques
 Neuromuscular release
 Fluid technique massage
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By level of
athlete
By technique
By timing
As a therapy
Amateur
Olympic
Professional
Relaxation
Deep tissue
NMT
Fluid techniques
Pre-event
Post-event
Inter-event
Preparation
Injury prevention
Injury treatment
Pain management
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Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology
Knowledge of variety of massage techniques including
basic energy work
Stretching concepts and principals
Common sport related injuries
Techniques to eliminate pain, spasms, cramps, prevent
spreading edemas and bruises. Treatment protocols for
acute and repetitive strain injuries
Be able to recognize exhaustion, overheating or
overcooling, dehydration, and the right time to refer
the athlete to medical professionals
Knowledge of taping technique to support body
structures and first aid training
Knowledge of sport ointments
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Produced by manufacturer professional massage
creams and lotions are better compared to liquid oils.
The residue of lubricant should be wiped or washed
out at the end of massage session
The lubricant should be applied first to the hands of
the MT
Wrestling, swimming and some other sports prohibit
use of lubricant before competitions
MT can use medical lubricants, gels, creams, and
ointments if they are prescribed by athlete’s doctor.
Warning: Never use new, untested emollient at the
event
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Massage therapist (MT) should wear
comfortable clothes that allow unrestricted
movement and/or according to dress code for
the event.
It is recommended to use sunglasses, cap with
visor or eyeshade, sunprotection lotion for
outdoor events
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Massage table. Massage chair. Yoga mat. Fitted plastic
cover for the massage table. Sheets, paper roll,
headrest, headrest cover, towels or paper towels,
pillow cases, pillows or/and bolsters. Massage oil or
cream in pump or tube. Timer
Sanitation solutions, protective gloves, band aid, tape,
bandage. Plastic bags for used sheets and trash
Blanket or space blanket
Travel equipment – table cart, table bag, bag for sheets.
Plastic pads or other kind of protection to prevent
massage table sinking in the ground.
Water and cups
Sunglasses, cap with visor, sun protective lotion
Maps or GPS
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Plan of training process is planning during
four/five year cycle. It splits into yearly, monthly,
weekly, daily cycles and single lesson. Each lesson
has specific goals for warm up, main part of lesson,
and cool down process
Four basic periods of training process during
yearly cycle
Transitional – increasing load in order to reach
next level of performance/skills
Preparation - stabilization of skills
Competition – Peak performance
Vacation - short change of activity and healing
injuries
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Muscles are enclosed by fascia; epimysium,
perimysium, endomysium. The fascias allow
the muscles to slide upon each other, when
they contract or stretch. Whenever a muscle is
damaged due to blow or overuse microfibers
form in between neighboring layers of
connective tissue. These collagen microfibers
bind muscle fibers (muscles cells) together to
prevent movement so that the muscles can
heal.
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blogspot.com
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Fascia is thin, but very fibrous and strong. It
serves as a strong layer of connective tissue
between the skin and layers of muscle , muscle
compartments, muscle belies, fascicles, and
muscle fibers .
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blogspot.com
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Microfibers of connective tissue are nature’s
internal cast. Unfortunately, they do not vanish
after the tissue has healed. They have a
tendency to get harder over time, making the
muscles stiffer and more rigid.
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Proprioceptors provide information about movement
and the position of the body.
Muscle spindles (stretch receptors) are specialized groups
of muscle fibers interspersed among and oriented
parallel to regular skeletal muscle fibers.
Tendon organs are proprioceptors found at the junction
of a tendon and a muscle. Each tendon organ consists
of a thin capsule of connective tissue that encloses a
few collagen fibers penetrating the capsule.
Joint Kinesthetic Receptors. Several types of joint
kinesthetic receptors are present within and around the
articular capsules of synovial joints.
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Joint Kinesthetic Receptors. Several types of joint
kinesthetic receptors are present within and
around the articular capsules of synovial joints.
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Effleurage-Variations of speed will have either stimulating or
sedative effect on athlete
Stroking -A stroking movement is performed with the entire
palmar surface of one or both hands moving in any direction on
the surface of the body
Compression moves down into the tissues with varying depths of
pressure - Regional compression, Pumping compression, Ischemic
compression
Friction-Circular or cross fiber (James Cyriax technique), friction
with thumb or fingers, friction with ulnar side of the hand, friction
with heel of the hand, friction with soft fist, friction in
combination with other kind of strokes, friction w/reinforcement ,
friction sub strokes.
Petrissage (kneading) Compression kneading
Vibration, Shaking, Rocking, Tapotement
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Neuromuscular therapy pertains to nerves and
muscles, or to the relationship between them.
Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is
methodology for assessing, treating and
preventing soft tissue injuries and chronic pain.
NMT emerged in both Europe and North
America, almost simultaneously over the last
half-century. NMT is now taught in osteopathic
and sports massage settings in Britain, Russia,
China, US and other countries
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Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching
most commonly utilizes two different processes
Post isometric fatigue used to induce Post Isometric
Relaxation (PRI) – when muscle put in isometric contraction
for 8-10 sec it get fatigue and followed 6 sec latent period
allowed stretching targeted muscle without discomfort to
next level
Reciprocal inhibition (RI) is inhibition activity of targeted
muscle during isometric, lasting 8 – 10 sec, contraction of
antagonist muscle. Inhibition continues after muscle relaxed
for a few sec and it allowed stretching targeted muscle with
no discomfort to next level
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Preparation massage varies depending on type of
sport, individuality, sex, health conditions,
temperature or environment and many other
factors
Usual massage session is 10 – 15 minutes in length
and done 30 – 40 minutes before event. The main
goal is to prepare musculoskeletal system for high
impact performance
The most important is to massage body parts that
will be used during competition or practice.
Warning; Any type of massage must be given
especially cautiously before a competition. Do not
use vigorous vibration techniques
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How much time before the start of your event?
Have you done your warm-up routine?
Do you have any health conditions that I have to
know
Are there recent or prior injuries that still bother
you?
Do you have any specific concerns that you would
like I take care of?
What is your expectation regarding competitions
today?
How would you like to feel after massage?
Relaxed, invigorated, refreshed?
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Inter-competition massage is helpful to quickly
restore energy levels, balance psychoemotional state, prevent injury, cramps,
spasms, and relieve pain in case of microtrauma or chronic problems. In the instance of
trauma, it is good to have training in taping
and cold application. Massage session can vary
from 1 - 2 minutes to 15 - 20 minutes.
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How long is your break?
How are you feeling?
Is there any health concerns that I have to
know
What is your concern at this moment?
Do you need to do warm up again?
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Post-event massage is administered immediately after
the event
Before starting the massage, allow the athlete to cool
down and re-hydrate
Conduct a brief interview to ensure that he or she is
coherent and rational.
A post-event massage continues for approximately 1015 minutes; it is not a full body massage. Therapeutic
stretching can be useful during or after the massage
session to restore the range of motion. Reciprocal
inhibition is a good technique if an athlete experiencing
muscle cramps or spasm. Ensure there is no signs of
dehydration, loss or imbalance of minerals. Spot the
athlete when they are getting off massage table
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Have you had drink water since the end of the
event?
How are you feeling? Hot, warm, cold?
Did you have any problems during the activity?
Have you got any injuries?
Do you have any old injuries or surgeries or health
conditions that I need to be aware of?
What are you feeling in these areas? Tight? Heavy?
Pain?
What areas would you like me to pay attention the
most?
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Decreases training damage
Improves training consistency
Enables athlete to stay in competition longer
Enhances confidence
Encourages a relaxed mental attitude
Reduces muscle spasm to promote restoration of
normal muscle function
Helps prevent muscle and tendon injuries
Promotes acute injury healing
Promotes healing of long-standing injury (break
down adhesions to restore mobility)
Promotes complete healing to prevent acute
problems from becoming chronic
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DeLee Drez. Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Principles and practice.
Volume 1. W.B.Saunders Company
Anatoly Berukov. Sport Massage. Manual for coaches, physical therapists,
and massage therapists. Moscow 1992
Classification of sport massage modalities by William Ron McKnight
Donald W. Scheumann. The Balanced Body. A Guide to Deep Tissue and
Neuromuscular Therapy. Third Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
2007
Bob Andersonon. Stretching. Shelter Publication, Inc.Bolinas, CA, USA
Janice Loudon, Stephania Bell, Jane Johnston. The Clinical Orthopedic
Assessment Guide. Human Kinetics
Whitney W. Lowe. Orthopedic Massage. Mosby 2007
Ross Turchaninov, M.D. Therapeutic Massage. A scientific approach.
Aesculapius Books 2000
Sport Massage Brochure: The Athlete’s & Athletic trainer’s Edge. 2001 American Massage Therapy Association
Webmd.com
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Samuel Blechman
Suite 116, 1818 Pot Spring Road
Lutherville, MD 21093
www.aplusceworkshops.com
[email protected]
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