Sports Massage
Sport massage is massage that is carried out with consideration for the physical and psychological needs of the athlete.
The benefits of sports massage include:
- reduced recovery time between training session so that the athlete can train harder and more frequently
- reduced likelihood of developing sports injuries
- reduced likelihood that a primary injury will lead to secondary injuries
- an increase in the length of the athletes career.
As a result, the performance potential of the athlete is increased.
The Bowen Technique is a very effective form of sports massage that is regularly used by elite athletes for the treatment of injuries and to improve the recovery time following training and competition.
Sports massage can be loosely classified into four types:
Pre-event sports massage - This is the term used to describe sports massage that is given immediately before competition or training. It increases muscles, breaks down minor adhesions, releases colloidal histamine leading to a long lasting increase in blood flow to the muscles and stimulates the nervous system. The result of these physiological changes is increased performance potential and a decreased likelihood of injury.
Post-event Sports Massage - Describes sports massage given within 4 hours after competition or training. It helps to relax the muscles, remove waste-products formed through exercise (eg. lactic acid, debris from tissue breakdown) and bring nutrients to the area. This reduces the likelihood of developing post exercise soreness and reduces the recovery time.
Training Sport Massage - This massage is given in between training sessions to improve the recovery between training sessions, reduce the risk of injury and maximize the performance enhancing effect of training. It also addresses any abnormal changes in tissue tension or inflammation before they develop into injuries. and address small injuries before they become a problem. As the frequency of training increases so does the need for training sports massage.
Rehabilitation Sports Massage - This form of sports massage is given to aid recovery from sports injuries. It reduces inflammation, ensures the development of strong, pliable scar tissue and returns muscle and tendon flexibility to normal. Rehabilitation sports massage can greatly increase the speed of recovery after injury and significantly reduce the chances of re-injury.
Because the Bowen Technique causes a deep level of relaxation it is not suitable as pre-event sports massage. It is, however, an extremely effective form of post-event, training or rehabilitation sports massage.
Besides the Bowen Technique, The Hague Bowen Therapy Clinic has also studied sports massage as part of the "Certificate of Massage" from the Victorian School of Massage, in Australia. He has also completed the "Post-graduate Diploma in Sports Massage" and the "Diploma in Orthopaedic Sports Massage - Level One" from the "Sport Massage Training Institute of Costa Mesa", United States of America. He has also taught sports massage at the "Barwon College of Therapeutic Massage" in Geelong, Australia.
He applies all of his knowledge and experience when using the Bowen Technique on athletes.
NB: The Bowen Technique is not meant as a replacement for regular medical advice. If you have any doubts over the nature of your condition please contact a medical practitioner.