Sports Massage
Go faster, go farther, and prevent injury.
As you push to redefine your limits, massage strengthens your body, helps you heal faster, and increases your performance. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned pro, Sports Massage is a vital part of your training routine to keep you performing at your best.

MEET YOUR SPORTS THERAPIST   |   SPORTS MASSAGE PRICING

              Receiving sports massage is necessary to condition the body for athletic events.  It uses a combination of vigorous massage movements including compression and friction to broaden and elongate the muscle.  This allows the muscle to become more pliable and will give less resistance during a workout.  Massage is able to stretch the muscles in a way that could not otherwise be obtained and by stretching the sheath surrounding the muscle you can reduce pain and inflammation.  Massage also breaks down scar tissue and can bring back range of motion that would otherwise be lost.  Tight muscles are weak muscles and do not allow an effective workout to take place.  Regular massage allows and athlete to train and recover more quickly and efficiently from a workout.

              Sports massage therapy significantly lowers your risk of injury but when an injury does take place, massage is key to getting back into training quicker.  Here are some common injuries that can occur and what massage can do to help them:

INFLAMMATION OF THE ILIOTIBIAL (IT) BAND

• The iliotibial band runs down the outside edge of the thigh and acts as a stabilizer for the  knee and thigh.  This oftentimes becomes tight in runners or cyclists and can cause pain, inflammation, and lack of mobility. 
• Massage can be very effective in treating IT band inflammation and uses a series of movements that include stretching and stripping with deep work focused on areas of heightened sensitivity.
• It is essential to keep this band flexible as it can severely restrict your movement otherwise.

KNEE INJURIES

• The knee is a major connection point for many muscles, tendons, and ligaments and can be injured by numerous activities.
• Massage is a great way to treat knee injuries because it can relax the surrounding muscles and tissues, taking the strain and pull off of the knee itself.  It also brings fresh blood and nutrients to the area which will facilitate healing.  In addition, massage is very effective in preventing adhesions and scar tissue, which will cause loss of movement.

PLANTAR FASCITIS

• The plantar fascia is the arch ligament that runs underneath the foot from under the heel to the front of the foot.  A strain of the plantar fascia is a very common event and can result from one traumatic event or from repeated strains over time.
• Plantar Fascitis can be very painful and debilitating and you will want to get back on your feet  quickly.  Sports massage can aid in recovery by gently stretching and warming the ligament and allowing it to relax which will bring relief.

SHIN SPLINTS

• Shin splints is an overuse injury that can be caused from running on hard surfaces, among other things.  It basically means you have an inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tibia.
• After the acute stage, sports massage can benefit shin splints by reducing the tension in the muscles of the lower leg which will reduce the strain on the tendon attachment.  This will allow the area to heal and can prevent further injury

ANTERIOR COMPARTMENT SYNDROME

• Anterior Compartment Syndrome is pain associated with the lower front of the leg and is usually caused when the tibialis anterior is putting excessive pressure on the sheath surrounding it.  This can be caused by overuse which results in swelling, or by an injury to the muscle which results in bleeding and thus creates pressure.
• Massage is ideal for this condition because it stretches the sheath that surrounds the muscle and makes it more pliable, allowing for expansion.  Receiving regular sports massage  would be excellent to prevent anterior compartment syndrome from occurring, or treating the condition once it does occur.

ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES

• Rotator Cuff injuries are very common in sports where the arm is above the head a lot such as swimming or tennis.  It is usually accompanied by pain in the shoulder when throwing and object or stiffness in the shoulder joint.
• After the acute stage has passed, massage can be therapeutic by flushing the area with fresh blood to speed healing.  Application of trigger point therapy and stretching techniques will also be beneficial.  Our goal is to get you back in the swimming pool or on the tennis court as soon as possible.

TENNIS ELBOW

• Tennis Elbow got it’s name because of the frequency of tennis players to acquire this injury.  It is essentially an inflammation or adhesion of the tendon that attaches to the bone on the outside of the elbow.
• Sports massage is greatly beneficial because it can break up these adhesions that occur or reduce inflammation.  By relaxing the affected muscle and the surrounding muscles you can relieve the strain on the tendon.  Massage should not be done in the acute stage however.

GOLFER’S ELBOW

• Golfer’s Elbow, or Thrower’s Elbow, is an overuse syndrome that is the same as tennis elbow only it affects the inside of the elbow instead of the outside.  It is characterized by pain in the elbow when gripping something and weakness in the wrist.
• Massage is beneficial in Golfer’s Elbow in the same manner that it would be for Tennis Elbow.