Sports Massage should play an important part in the life of any sportsman or woman whether they are injured or not. Massage has a number of benefits which can be physical, physiological & psychological, including the following:

• Reduces the effects of stress
• Relaxes tense, tired & aching muscles & relieves cramps & muscle spasms
• Increases blood circulation
• Can lower Blood Pressure
• Decreases chronic pain
• Reduces tension headaches & can help relieve symptoms of migraine
• Speeds recovery from illness & injury
• Improves skin tone & enhances self-image
• Helps improve quality of sleep, helps improve concentration & reduces anxiety
• Can improve nerve function

• maintains the body in generally better condition
• helps prevent injury & loss of mobility
• helps restore mobility to injured muscle tissue
• may boost performance
• excellent for reducing back pain & general relaxation
• may extend the overall life of your sporting career

• In sports massage the therapist may apply the techniques more firmly & deeper than a general massage therapist might

• The sports massage therapist may also make more use of friction techniques, which involves applying deep pressure to tissues repeatedly to break down adhesions (sticky bits on tendons) & soften any scar tissue

• Some sports massage techniques are designed to reduce an injury back to its acute stage in order to trigger the bodies natural healing response

As a professional Sports Massage Therapist you should expect me to abide to the following rules:

• Wash my hands before beginning a treatment
• Give you my undivided attention
• Not discuss other clients with you or discuss  you with others
• Make my own decisions on how treatment should be carried out
• Be clean & presentable
• Carry out Doctor's instructions to the letter
• Not treat you if you have any contra-indications
• Not treat you if your being treated by another professional/specialist, without their permission
• Keep up to date records

• Increases the bodies natural killer cells
• Aids in the fight against bacteria & infection
• Enhances the bodies ability to get nourishment to important areas
• A boosted immune system can help prevent the common cold &/or flu
• Treat pain associated with arthritis or joints
• Aid in a faster recovery time after injury or surgery

• Relieves soreness, tension, & stiffness
• Improves muscle tone
• Increases flexibility & range of motion of joints
• Improves the flow of nutrients to muscles & joints, accelerating recovery from fatigue & injury
• Reduces scar tissue
• Breaks down or prevents adhesions (knots)
Speeds recovery from exercise
• Enhances freedom of movement
• Prevents or delays muscular atrophy, resulting from inactivity caused by injury, from age, surgery, or illness
• Increases physical confidence
• Relieves cramps & muscle spasms
• Reduces pain & swelling

• Improves posture/body alignment
• Relieves stiff joints
• Decreases inflammation
• Restores range of motion (increasing joint movement)
• Releases joint strain (releasing tight muscles & tendons)
• Releases restrictions in the fascia (connected tissues)
• Improves the circulation & nutrients of your joints

The Circulatory System
• Increases blood flow (to tissues & organs), which can relieve much muscular & joint pain (especially associated with swelling)
• Increases the flow of oxygen & nutrients (to cells & tissues), improving & relieving congestion throughout the body
• Increases the number of red blood cells, especially in cases of anemia
• Can lower Blood Pressure
• Reduces heart rate (helps develop a stronger heart)
• Elimination of metabolic waste

The Respiratory System
• Develops respiratory muscles
• Regulates respiration
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing

The Lymphatic System
• Cleanse the body of wastes & toxic debris in the body
• Increases the circulation of lymph
• Stimulates the immune system (strengthens resistance to disease)
• Reduces edema of the extremities (arms & legs)
• Removal of lactic acid from fatigued & sore muscles (allows for a quick recovery)
• Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism
• Increases retention of nitrogen phosphorus, and sulfur to aid in bone repair
• Speeds recovery from illness

The Digestive System
• Relieves constipation (specifically if a abdominal massage is given)
• Relaxes the abdominal & intestinal muscles (therefore releasing tension in this area)
• Eliminates waste materials
• Stimulates activity of liver & kidneys

The Nervous System
• Stimulates Nervous System = boosting energy
• Calms the Nervous System = relaxing
*Massage may have a sedative, stimulating or an exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of massage treatment given

• Relieves restlessness and insomnia
• Relieves pain due to pinched nerves
• Decreases chronic pain
• Stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller)

The Endocrine System
• Helps the body to restore & heal itself
• Develops of a restful sleep pattern
• Promotes appropriate levels of hormones (bringing the immune system back in balance)

The Urinary System
• Elimination of metabolic waste
• Cleanses the body of wastes & toxic debris in the body
• Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism