Sports massage has been used for decades as a treatment tool for both sporting and occupational injuries, as well as pre-sport, post-sport and as a preventative measure. Its continued use is down to its success in the clinical setting. However, a new piece of research may be about to discredit its use.
If you ask a sports massage therapist what the benefits of sports massage are, their answer is likely to include "an increase in blood flow", alongside other commonly quoted effects, such as the break down of scar tissue, removal of lactic acid and stretching and realignment of muscle fibres.
A recent study from Queens University has demonstrated that sports massage can actually impair blood flow to the muscles following exercise, as well as reducing lactic acid removal. These findings have been used to suggest that it is not effective for use post-exercise.
Although more research is required, if this is in fact the case, it still does not render sports massage ineffective, post exercise, or in any other scenario.
From my personal experience of over 5 years practising sports massage, it is by far the most useful tool I possess, far beyond my TENS and Ultrasound machines! I use sports massage in the majority of my injury treatments, for everything from an acute or chronically sprained ankle, to lower back pain rehabilitation. It helps me to gain a good insight into the state of the underlying muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia as well as helping to stretch and relax tight muscles, release trigger points and break down adhesion's and scar tissue. I also have a number of devoted clients, whom after seeing their flexibility increase, aches and pains reduce, sporting performance improve and injury rate decrease, make regular appointments for a massage.
My point is this...new research should always be welcomed as we do not, and probably never will, fully understand the human body and the effects that our 'treatments' have, especially those labelled complimentary. However, I also believe in the proof of success within the clinical setting. If a practitioner finds something works (even if only on a placebo or psychological basis), then why stop using it?
More information on sports massage including online video demonstrations, as well as benefits and contraindications, can be found at /sports_massage/index.php
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