Massage Therapy Glossary

Sport massage enhances athletic performance and recovery.  The most beneficial times for the professional athlete are: Pre-event massage  at the performance site; the client is fully clothed and the therapist uses fast-paced and stimulating techniques which speeds the blood flow warms up muscles. The athlete is encouraged to focus on visualizing her success in the upcoming event.  Post-event massage is also at the performance site; again through the clothes and this time the aim is to calm and flush toxins and waste products from the body reducing  recovery time, enabling an athlete to resume training sooner.  Injury recovery is sped up with massage therapy and will improve the quality of healing.  Often athletic taping techniques are offered and can help prevent injury as well as protect the athlete from re-injury by limiting the movement in an injured joint to prevent excess or abnormal movement.