Many factors contribute to the development of a sport specific massage treatment plan. Each athlete is unique and requires a special focus to treat, maintain, or even prevent injury. I look at how an athlete runs or lifts during a workout to assist in the development a successful and proactive maintenance strategy. Even the athlete’s day-to-day activities such as their work environment, posture, and any repetitive movements can hinder their performance.
As a competitive athlete and once a desk sitting professional, I now appreciate the value of massage even more due to the lack of care I gave to my body during my time in competitive sports. I often found myself struggling with soreness, reduced range of motion, and even symptoms of tendonitis. I experienced these pains far more than one athlete or professional would like. Competing in both high school and college, I found it difficult to let go of my “glory days” as I aged. Spending years in a marketing profession, sitting at a desk I was encountering more aches and pains the more I sat. While attempting to still be “athletic,” pain seemed to be the new “normal.”
Before too long, I decided to make the change towards a more “active” career. Becoming a massage therapist taught me the importance of taking care of your body, not just reactively, but proactively. I have never felt better. Whether you are a college athlete, an avid workout fanatic, or even a workaholic, take the time to “take care” of your body. Help that range of motion. Increase your squat. Reduce or prevent that delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Stop that low back pain from sitting too long at a desk. Work out longer on the days you train. Massage isn’t just for those who want to relax. It is also for those who want to live a more mobile lifestyle.
