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Sports Massage
Training Guidelines
Training massages are given
throughout the training stage of athletic performance. An athlete
will have an event in mind and begin a regimen of training as needed to
reach that goal. They begin with building a base of strength and
endurance and continue to attain maximum performance level. Massages
can be given before or after a workout depending on the needs of the athlete.
Treatments are geared toward the areas of highest stress during the workout.
Each sport varies as does each athlete's stress points.
Benefits of Massage for Athletes
in Training:
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Faster recovery from micro damage
and trauma from workouts
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Increase in flexibility and
range of motion
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Relieve fatigue and rejuvenate
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Reduces the strain of repetitive
motions
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Reduces the healing time
of injuries
General Guidelines:
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The main goal is to keep an
athlete injury free. What do you need to do to accomplish this?
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Find out what their schedules
are like. Do they lift weights, run, stretch, drink enough water?
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Are they doing more strength
training, endurance training or both? Are they sore from tightness
or lactic acid build up?
Massage before a workout
guidelines: Massage before a workout can make a athlete feel weaker and
unmotivated. They may not even want to do their workout after the
session. Be sure to know your clients needs before proceeding and
warn them as to the effects of such a treatment. Once you get to
know your clients schedule and training methods, you will be better able
to determine if a session should be done before workout or after a workout.
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Find out when they last worked
out and what they did in the workout. What areas are tight, fatigued or over
stressed
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Check to see when they will
be working out. That day? A few hours away? The next day? The time
may influence the type and length of massage session.
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Work to increase flexibility
and range of motion.
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Know your athlete's event.
Ask them. They know where they hurt and take the most stress.
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Look at your client's overall
body alignment to determine areas of higher stress.
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If they are fatigued you may
want to use more effleurage and other strokes to drain lactic acid build
up. If they are tight, you may want to use Trigger point methods.
Massage after a workout guidelines:
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Find out what they did today
and provide treatment accordingly. How did they feel today? When is their
next workout?
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Do they need flushing out or
relief from tightness?
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Are there other areas not directly
involved in their activity that may be bothering them?
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