1. They require precise use of their bodies.
2. Activity involves repetitive use of specific muscle groups
3. Even slight changes in strength, connective tissue formation, etc. can cause compensation patterns effecting performance.

Sports massage is given pre-event, intra-event, and most commonly post-event. The known physiological benefits of sports massage are numerous and vast:

Sports massage creates hyperemia; Flushes out metabolic waste three to five times more effectively than rest of the same duration; Stretches & broadens tendons/ligaments; Breaks down “gluing” between fascial sheaths reducing adhesions inflammation & trauma; Reduces spasm; Identifies possible trouble areas & helps eliminate them; Athletes reach peak performance sooner and sustain it longer; Flexibility is greatly improved; Risk of Injury greatly reduced; Elimination of muscle stiffness due to excess acid buildup; Offers the athlete relaxation and a psychological advantage; Reduces ischemic pain from spasms, splinting, and tension; Extends the overall span of an athlete’s career.

The most common type of sports massage that we hear about is the Rub Down or the post event massage. Of all the various types of post massage techniques, by far the best for recuperative and restorative effect is the cross fiber friction (Deep Friction Massage or XXF technique). The XXF technique can not fail to be painful especially to an athlete who has pushed his body to the extreme.

Where and when is Deep Friction Massage effective? On all forms of ligamentous or musculotendinous lesions at the appropriate time of healing. Deep Friction Massage should not be given sooner than 2 hours post event. Immediately following the event a qualified sports medicine specialist should be available to access and treat any acute injuries. Sports medicine specialists may or may not follow this treatment with massage. When the area has been treated and the athlete can tolerate additional discomfort, work around the injured area using lighter strokes for lymphatic drainage and then provide deep friction technique elsewhere on the body. If the patient is not suffering from post event trauma they will likely benefit greatly from a XXF massage as soon as two hours post event. Effects of a good muscle stripping massage can be felt immediately and will prevent that common second day post- event pain.

The Deep Friction Massage strokes are delivered with precision movement to affect areas of greatest need followed by a more general muscle stripping technique over the entire body. The XXF strokes are delivered to various ligaments and tendons, muscle bellies, and muscle fascial sheaths. More specifically XXF or Deep Friction Massage strokes will break up cross-bridging of tissue, between a ligament and a bone, a tendon and a bone and in the muscle belly itself.

If you are interested in learning how to perform the techniques of XXF yourself, just do a little research on line for specific examples. First find information on the sport of your choice, and find which muscles and muscle groups are most commonly used. Next learn the best technique to reach each of these muscles. You can check out books on massage specific to ‘sports massage’ from your local library or go online to order a pictographic manual showing Deep Friction Massage techniques.

For a quick look at some basic sports massage techniques you may wish to log on to www.sportsinjuryclinic.net Here you will find video footage of pre-event, intra- event and post- event sports massage to specific areas of the body. You may go on to amazon.com enter the words Deep Friction Massage Techniques for a list of proper manuals on this particular area of sports medicine.

These simple techniques are easy to learn and will not only increase the length of an athletes’ career if they so choose, but may also come in handy for you. Self massage is not as effective as having it done to you, but you could show a friend how to provide the technique that you need and then lay back and allow them to inflict a little bit of pain for a world of gain. To learn more about the advantages of Sports Massage and specific techniques to use you may wish to contact the UK. association of Sports Massage at the address and contact listing below:

SPORTS MASSAGE ASSOCIATION 1 Woodville Terrace, Lytham, Lancaster FY8 5QB t: 0870-005-2678 f:0870-005-2679 e: dmin@thesma.org

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