In case you needed some encouragement to book in for a massage - have a read of this from the Australian Massage Therapy Association . . .

Massage is an effective treatment for sports injuries and the maintenance of your body while training and playing.

Gympie, like most of Australia, is big on its sports!
We have huge participation levels (all ages and abilities) for soccer, hockey, rugby league, afl, netball, touch footy, basketball – did I miss anyone?

Of course, part of training and improving your ability in any physical activity is maintaining the wear and tear on your body.  We have all experienced some form of discomfort from our sports - from the occasional niggle through to the season ending hamstring.

What is a sports massage?

• The combination of anatomical, physiological and remedial massage knowledge with the aim of maintaining, improving or repairing the physical performance of a sportsperson.
  
• It can involve stronger techniques such as trigger point therapy, deep tissue work and cross fibre remedial massage techniques
  
• Sports massage is always undertaken with an understanding of your specific sport, training and event schedule and also how your body has historically performed.
  

So why make sports massage part of your season?

• Sports massage will help maintain your body as training increases
  
• Prevent injuries – stop niggles becoming a greater issue
  
• Maximise mobility!
  
• Help restore and repair injured muscle tissue
  
• Pain reduction
  
• Relaxation
  
• Breaking down of scar tissue caused by injury
  
• Stretching of muscle fibres both lengthways and cross fibre can be more effective than conventional stretching.
  

So, when is the best time to get a Sports Massage?

• Before an event - can be a short treatment to complement a warm-up by increasing circulation and flexibility without interfering with your performance.
  
• After an event a massage will aid in your recovery process by relaxing your muscle tone, improving your flexibility and reducing stiffness and soreness.  It can also be a time to assess for any injury concerns. 
  

Further reading:
Sports Massage for runners