Sports recovery massage for athletes and amateurs

A set of techniques and treatments, designed for professional and amateur athletes who exercise intensively or need help in achieving their goals. It is an integral part of the wellness system and reduces the risk of injury - a natural part of every athlete's life.

Amateurs preparing for competitions also benefit from sports massage. Popular long-distance events, half-marathons, running marathons, cycling, rollerblading, as well as other intensive forms of physical activity benefit greatly from proper preparation and regeneration.

Preparation and regeneration

Massage for athletes is similar to a classic therapeutic massage, but performed with much greater intensity, energy and frequency. It prepares your body for high physical exertion, helps with performance, and speeds up recovery after competition.

The aim of this massage is to smoothe out the recovery period after intense muscle work. It helps remove soreness, reduce muscle tension and prevent injuries.

Isometric massage

A therapeutical tool for muscle atrophy and paresis during post-injury rehabilitation. It is also used as anti-cellulite and slimming treatment. It's an important part of sports massage.

During the isometric massage, the therapist induces isometric tension in the muscles, which substitues for physical exercise. Isometric contraction does not change the position of the initial and final muscle attachments. The joints also remain immobile.

This short, intensive treatment restores strength, elasticity and volume to weakened muscles, reduces body fat and improves circulation. It eliminates swelling, resulting from lack of movement and improper diet.

It is worth emphasizing that isomeric massage cannot replace normal physical activity except during rehabilitation. It also shouldn't be overused.

Types of sports massage

Intense sports practice always includes sports massage at the stage of preparation, training, competition, as well as in the post- and inter-competition periods.

Sports massage includes various forms of treatments, adapted to the schedule of competitions and the type of discipline.

Conditioning massage

Helps keep one in shape during a period of reduced training intensity. It is usually performed after a competition season, before the start of the next training cycle.

This massage allows you to stay in shape, keep your muscles flexible and maintain the efficiency of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. It is intended to help maintain motor skills at the current level of performance. It helps remove toxins from the body and provides oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.

Conditioning massage is gentle in nature, compared to other varieties of sports massage. It's combined with other rejuvenation modalities.
Performed daily or once every second day.

Workout massage

Performed during the entire training cycle. Massage and other wellness treatments help the athlete to improve his or her physical capabilities, accelerate recovery, and maintain a state of participation readiness.

Total or partial training massage is carried out an appropriate amount of time after training and showering. A lighter workout allows it to be performed relatively quickly, while heavier sessions require a longer recovery of several hours before this type of massage can be applied.

Preparatory massage

Preparatory massage is performed between the last training session and the competition - to prepare the body for participation. It has a very important psychological significance, relating to the state of being of the athlete.

It eliminates sleep deprivation, promotes recovery and proper nutrition, and helps with pre-competition fever. Has a stimulating or calming effect, supports concentration. Therapists adapts their focus and technique to the sport, physique and mental state of the athlete.

Pre-exercise massage

Useful immediately before the start of physical activity. It warms up, prepares the muscles and musculoskeletal system, improves flexibility. This massage is performed very briefly and includes psychological elements. It is followed by the starting procedure and the actual start.

Post-workout / recovery / post-start / restitution massage.

Post-workout massage helps return to normal functioning more quickly, after physical exertion. It regenerates soft tissues and micro-damage to muscle fibers and reduces their tension. It significantly speeds recovery up, in comparison to passive rest.

Prolonged training and participation in sports competitions induces processes that interfere with the nutrition and oxygenation of tissues. Regenerative massage improves the efficiency and working range of joints, comprehensively affecting the musculoskeletal system. It is performed from about 30 to 120 minutes after exercise.

Contraindications for sports massage:

• Acute and subacute inflammation of the skin, muscles, joints, tendons,
•  Period after dislocations, sprains and fractures,
• Fresh wounds, breaks in the skin tissue,
• Dermatological lesions, rashes, eczema,
• Inflammatory conditions of the veins,
• Feverish conditions.