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Sports massage
A massage acclaimed by athletes and used by caregivers for the preparation and physical recovery of high-level athletes, essential during competitions and high-intensity practice with repetitive sequences.
It improves the physical, emotional and energetic performance of the athlete.
It prevents injuries and allows faster recovery.
The objectives, the techniques and protocols implemented as well as its phases of use will depend on the type of sport as well as the characteristics and the phases of training or competition practiced by the athlete.
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Sports massage sessions can be practiced either:
on demand according to individual needs
a program of specific sessions can be set up as part of a follow-up
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Athlete follow-up
In addition to the work of the physiotherapist, the osteopath and other sports doctors, the sports massage practitioner aims to improve the performance and good health of the athlete. Its role is to follow the athlete in his practice and to establish a program of specific sessions adapted to his needs according to the sport, the phases of training and competition or in the event of injury.
Before the competition to promote the athlete's good form
During the competition to stimulate the tissues, prepare the structures without losing tone, maintain attention, reduce muscle trauma and release overloaded areas.
After competition for faster recovery or in the event of injury in addition to the work done by sports therapists to reduce pain and inflammation, avoid stiffness, atrophy and improve the functionality of injured areas.
Practiced regularly sports massage allows;
improve performance, position and general health
reduce physical and emotional recovery time
prevent the risk of injury
to avoid aches, contractures and cramps
to reduce fatigue and to practice with more intensity and for a longer period of time
reduce inflammation and pain
free the body from the constraints of stress and muscle tension
to prevent overloads
to facilitate movements as well as the maintenance of rhythm and cadences
3-step program
The preparation massage
The preparation massage before the competitions (min 2 days before)
Prolonged deep massage session to locate sensitive areas to prepare the athlete and prevent injury
Massages during the competition
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Prior massage to seek the activation of the proprioreceptive and nervous systems, to stimulate muscle tone.
During competition, at breaks or between events to maintain attention, reduce pain, stimulate and prepare structures without reducing tone
Interphase competition massage to release over-tensioned areas, reduce body aches, contractures, cramps.
The restorative massage
After the competition
(2/3 h after the competition or 24/36 h if the competition lasts several days)
It restores tired structures and repairs damaged muscles.
The techniques used facilitate the release of muscular, nervous and mental tensions.
This massage has a sedative and analgesic action, reduces muscle hypertonicity
Injury recovery massage will complement the work done by specialist sports therapists to reduce pain and inflammation, maintain cell tropism and improve mobility and functionality of injured areas.
The properties of massage
On the skin
Increased vasodilation, Hyperemia
Increase in flexibility
Improved cellular nutrition
Reduction of pain by saturation of nerve pathways by skin receptors
( Gate control / Gate theory )
On the circulatory system
Before exercise
The mechanical action of the massage warms the treated area and the action of the nerves activates the sympathetic system which is vasodilator. The blood is thus pumped by the muscles which will contract and prepare for the activity
After exercise
The muscle needs to recover and the massage brings it more blood and therefore energy nutrients to restore the reserves and materials necessary for muscle reconstruction.
Before exercise
The mechanical action of the massage warms the treated area and the action of the nerves activates the sympathetic system which is vasodilator. The blood is thus pumped by the muscles which will contract and prepare for the activity
After exercise
The muscle needs to recover and the massage brings it more blood and therefore energy nutrients to restore the reserves and materials necessary for muscle reconstruction.
On the muscular system
Increased elimination of metabolic waste and toxins
Better oxygenation and cellular nutrition
Reduced muscle fatigue and recovery
Reduced occurrence of spasms and cramps
Reduced connective tissue buildup
Pain relief
Improved muscle function
(range of motion, strength, stretching ability)
Decreased muscle tone and contractions
On the nervous system
During sports activity
Lively, vigorous, tonic, intense, rapid movement techniques increase the excitability of neurons and send many messages to the spinal cord
This will anesthetize the pain and relieve the athlete's symptoms through the Gate control effect.
The excitability of the nerves will lead to faster and easier muscle contraction, thus making the athlete's gesture more explosive.
These different techniques will also put the body on alert and release the adrenaline. The body is ready for the fight!
After exercise
Thanks to the slow, ample and relaxing movements, the information reaches the limbic system triggering the mechanisms of satiety / rewards, driving out stress, anxiety.
Restorative massage will relax the nervous system and bring a sense of well-being