Which massage is right for you?
As an athlete, someone has probably suggested making massage and bodywork a regular part of your training program. It seems intuitive that massaging overworked, over-trained muscles is great for the body while also improving your overall sense of well-being. Regular use of massage therapy has a number of benefits including injury prevention, improved circulation, relaxing tight muscle groups among many others. But although massage therapy definitely has great benefits for active people, if you are not familiar with the variety of bodywork options available, you may be missing out on the big results that massage and bodywork can provide.
Before you look for a therapist
Before you start looking around for a therapist, take some time to consider your goals and the results you want to see from your sessions. This will define the type of therapist you are looking for as well as the type of bodywork you are looking for. Remember, if you are serious about incorporating massage and bodywork into your training program, you are looking for a partner that will help enhance your performance, not just a “fluff and buff” service that sends you on your way after a session. So, it serves to take some time. Work with your coach or trainer to determine what you need:
1. Do you have specific, recurring issues or injuries that you would like to address?
2. Do you have an upcoming event, or have you just finished an event?
3. Do you want to address the entire body, or only specific areas?
4. Do you want to incorporate stretching?
Types of Bodywork
How do you know if you want a Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, active release, trigger point therapy or maybe something more exotic sounding like Thai massage or Ashiatsu? Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, it will be easier to identify the styles of bodywork that are right for you. Remember, you don’t need to receive the same style of bodywork each time. Choose a few that work well into your training program and select a session and therapist based on your needs and goals.
There are a multitude of massage services available and each one has great therapeutic benefits. Here are some of the major ones that can yield especially good results for athletes:
Swedish massage - By far the most popular treatment, Swedish massage is a mainstay in every massage establishment. Considered a light to medium pressure massage, Swedish is characterized by long, gliding strokes as well as kneading movements. Some people may feel that it is less effective than its more notorious counterpart, the deep tissue. Swedish massage, however, serves as the foundation of most western massage techniques, and when done well, produces extraordinary results without over fatiguing muscle tissue. This is a great massage to receive as a pre- and post event treatment as it can calm pre-event jitters and improve post event recovery.
Deep tissue - The main function of deep tissue massage is to address the deeper muscle layers and structures of the body. Often this requires heavier pressure than experienced in a Swedish massage, but not necessarily, depending upon body part. Deep tissue can work wonders on specific areas of muscle tension, but most people do not need a full-body deep tissue service. Some people prefer to book a “deep tissue” massage over a Swedish because their overall musculature tends to be firmer, and thus more challenging for some therapists to engage effectively in a Swedish massage.
Sports massage - Sports massage includes a hodge podge of techniques and styles to address the specific needs of an athlete throughout training, as well as pre- and post event. Typically, sports massage is a directed combination of Swedish and deep tissue techniques, but often includes stretching and trigger point therapy among others.
Trigger Point Therapy - Trigger points are very localized, contracted fibers in muscle tissue that seem especially sensitive or tender. Often these areas result in referred muscle tension, nerve pain and reduced range of motion. Once the region is released with sustained pressure, blood flows through the fibers more freely and referred pain in other areas diminishes. Trigger point therapy can be a dedicated session, or included as part of a deep tissue or sports massage.
Thai Massage - From the eastern traditions this style of bodywork is normally performed on a padded mat or table with the client fully clothed. Many people find Thai massage to be a more dynamic style of bodywork that includes compression, acupressure, joint stabilization and deep yoga style stretching. Thai massage is a fantastic service for people who need some extra attention with flexibility and stretching.
Ashiatsu - For the people who simply enjoy deeper pressure work, Ashiatsu definitely delivers. Utilizing creams and oils, stokes are Swedish in nature, but performed with the broad surface of the therapist’s feet. At no point should the therapist be “walking” on the client. Like deep tissue, this service is another great one for individuals with firmer, more contracted muscle tissue.
Active Release Technique (ART) - If you are experiencing recurring issues that training, stretching or massage therapy isn’t improving, it may be time to consult with an ART specialist. ART, although not massage, is a soft tissue technique directed at specific muscle tissue to address buildup of adhesion and dense scar tissue that may be inhibiting muscle function, reducing range of motion, or causing nerve impingement or pain.
Finding a Therapist
So, now you are armed with a basic knowledge of different bodywork styles and you know what kind of results you are looking for. The next step is to find the right therapist(s) to work with. If you don’t know anyone, this can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask for referrals from trainers and fellow athletes - the people who want and need the types of bodywork you are looking for. Ask them why they like a particular therapist and what they think the therapist’s strengths are.
Whether you find a therapist by referral or through other means, when you call to inquire about a booking, it’s completely reasonable to ask to interview the therapist directly. Ask them what background and skills they bring to the table and how they would address your particular needs. Remember that you are looking for someone(s) to work with you as a part of your long term training program. You may be inclined to interview several people and even sample their work. It’s worth the initial investment to find the right therapist that will help you succeed and perform better.
Popularity: 62% [?]
