How does it work?
The three main techniques used in Sports Massage are:
Effleurage
Petrissage
Frictions
Each ensures that the main pressure is directed towards the heart to increase the venous and lymphatic flow. The strokes also ensure that excess pressure does not cause any damage to blood vessels. While effleurage is a preparatory background stroke, petrissage allows detail work on the body in releasing tension followed by friction.
What are the benefits?
Physical effects:
Deep massage causes the pores in tissue membranes to open, enabling fluids and nutrients to pass through enabling removal of waste products such as lactic acid
Deep massage encourages the muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients which promote faster healing
Sports massage stretches muscles to release tension or stress caused due to excess physical activity
Sports massage helps break down scar tissues which usually affect the muscle, tendons and ligaments which impair performance
Sports massage helps improve elasticity of tissues.
