Sports Massage Bangkok - Newton EM Clinic

Sports Massage

Sports massage is a type of massage designed to relax or stimulate muscles for athletes or those who exercise regularly. Sports massage can be divided into two types: pre-sport massage and post-sport massage. The techniques and purposes of these two types differ. Therefore, athletes must inform the clinic whether they need a pre-sport massage to prepare for activity or a post-sport massage to recover muscles after activity.

Why is SPORT MASSAGE important for athletes?

The primary purpose of sports massage is to relieve stress and muscle tension built up in soft tissues during exercise. For minor injuries and overexertion, massage can reduce tension and promote muscle flexibility effectively. It prepares athletes to maximize performance and helps drain fluid to alleviate swelling.

Sports Injuries Requiring Sports Massage

This includes soft tissue injuries such as muscle, fascia, muscle tendons, ligament sprains or strains, and joint capsule injuries, without bone fractures. These injuries usually occur in the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, arms, legs, hips, knees, and ankles, depending on the type of sport. They can be acute or chronic.

Benefits of Proper Sports Massage

Relieves muscle soreness, tightness, and pain
Reduces fatigue
Increases flexibility in muscles and joints
Decreases the risk of muscle adhesions
Speeds up muscle injury recovery

Phases of Sports Massage

Pre-Sport Massage:

This involves light muscle relaxation massage before practice or competition without heavy pressure to avoid muscle bruising, enhancing performance. The technique involves quick strokes to stimulate muscles while ensuring they don’t relax too much.

Benefits of Pre-Sport Massage:

Warms up muscles before use
Reduces muscle injury risk by stretching or relaxing tissues
Increases muscle flexibility
Enhances blood flow, increasing oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells

Post-Sport Massage:

This involves slower strokes after practice or competition, from superficial to deep muscle layers, to flush out lactic acid, relax muscles, and apply pressure to tense areas after exercise.

Benefits of Post-Sport Massage:

Improves fluid circulation, aiding tissue repair and natural lactic acid removal
Reduces muscle soreness and fatigue
Decreases inflammation and speeds up muscle recovery
Helps athletes resume training faster and reduces injury risk before competitions

Frequently Asked Questions about SPORT MASSAGE

How does SPORT MASSAGE differ from regular massage? Regular massages focus on deep pressure to relieve muscle tension and trigger points, whereas sports massages use lighter pressure and specific rhythms to prepare muscles for exercise or aid recovery after sports.

What are the massage techniques used? Techniques include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction, tapping, and vibration to relieve muscle tension and prepare the body for future activities.

How long should you massage before and after sports? Research suggests massaging 24 hours before sports to prepare and 30 minutes to 48 hours after sports for recovery.

Can you massage if you have muscle pain? Yes, for muscle soreness from exercise (DOMS). However, for muscle fiber tears, physical therapy is also recommended.

How often can you get a sports massage? Before and after competitions, or during training to maintain muscle health and reduce injury risks.

Is SPORT MASSAGE only for professional athletes? No, it benefits regular exercisers and individuals with repetitive muscle use, like office workers.

Why choose Newton M Clinic for SPORT MASSAGE? Newton M Clinic has experienced teams who understand muscle mechanics and provide training in sports massage techniques.