Orthopaedic Sports Massage

Benefits of Sports Massage (With regular massage):

Sports massage is mostly about preventing injuries, by maintaining full range of motion in the limbs and keeping the muscles in good condition, making sure that blood flow is getting to all the muscle fibres. Because it helps keep blood flow at it's optimum, it also acts a bit like steroids in that one can train harder and more often because it shortens recovery time. Of course this is all only possible with regular massage. It is also useful for treatment of minor sports injuries. Although many people believe that it helps get rid of lactic acid build up in the muscles. Latest research says that isn't true, because lactic acid is quickly converted back to glycogen (within 20min).

Sports massage uses the basic Swedish massage techniques, But also uses techniques such for stretching, trigger point therapy etc. and concentrates more on problem areas.

Injury prevention:
Regular massage is great for getting oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the muscles. Overuse syndrome can be identified early and treated.
Proper assisted stretching can also help prevent injury.

Pre event:
A quick pre-event massage and stretch will be of great benefit during a warm-up routine reduce warm-up time (performed within the last hour before an event). It helps improve mobility and reduce the risk of injury. It is particularly helpful to those who do sports that require explosive busts of effort right from the start. This may include sprinting events, ball games etc.

Post event:
This is a must for every sports person, particularly endurance sports. It will rid the muscles of toxic build-up of metabolic by-products and should be performed within 24-48 hours after an event. The latest research suggests that lactic acid is not to blame for DOMS, as has been thought to be the case up till now.

Restoration: (requires regular massage)
Shorten your training recovery time .
Reduce post event / competition recovery time.
Speed up recovery from injury due to improved blood circulation.
Faster elimination of toxic metabolic by-products.

Improved health:(requires regular massage)
Improved venous return i.e. blood flow back to the heart.
Improved lymphatic return, thus improving elimination of toxins in the muscles.
Improved sleeping due to stress relief.
Emotional & physical Stress Relief.
Improved condition and flexibility.

What To Expect:

A sports massage is not supposed to be a very painful experience, though some pain may be unavoidable, particularly on active trigger points.

As well as leaving you feeling relaxed and stress free, a massage can also leave you feeling drugged because of toxins and wastes being removed from the muscles, the body also produces endorphins which may put you on a bit of a high, this is very evident after a back or full massage if you have a lot of knots in your back, but can be quite pleasant.

The nature of this massage requires bare skin, particularly for the stroking movements which require massage oils to reduce pulling on the skin. It would follow then, that any part of the body being massaged needs to be undressed. Areas that are not being massaged at the time are kept covered with a towel to keep you warm in winter and to preserve your modesty. Care will be taken not to expose any private areas of the body.

My training has included functional clinical anatomy, orthopaedic assessments by way of active, passive and resisted isometric tests as well as the respective Sports Massage routines and I have working knowledge to recognise potential neurological and orthopaedic disorders and to then refer to the appropriate physiotherapist, chiropractor or orthopaedic surgeon.

I am an experienced sportsman myself and have medals for many endurance type events in cycling, running, swimming and ultra triathlons.

Also ask me about training advice, nutrition, stretching, passive stretching and joint mobilisation.

Routines:

Back & Shoulders
Legs & Buttocks
Arms, Chest & Stomach
Back, Shoulders, Legs & Bum
Full Massage

I can also adjust the routine for you to meet your particular needs.

Give me a call now to book your massage. 082 812 9721

What is sports massage?

A little history:

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage

Sports Massage

Deep Connective Tissue Massage

Lymphatic Massage

Outcomes Based Massage

Cellulite Treatment

Super Smooth Full Body Massage

Trigger Point Therapy





Craig Botha, Therapeutic Massage Therapist
Reg. no. A10608
Prac.no. 107 000 0302910

Should you wish to contact me, Craig Botha, click here or dial 082 812 7921