Sports Massage for Injury Care explains why manual therapy is so valuable in treating musculoskeletal injuries. It presents injury-specific protocols for treating and preventing recurrence of 20 of the most common neuromuscular injuries seen in athletes.

On the field, post-event, or in the clinic, Sports Massage is the essential resource for developing and perfecting your sports massage technique! Sports Massage provides an in-depth discussion of applications of foundational massage techniques within a sports massage approach. Thorough instructions and over 130 full-color photos demonstrate the correct application of each massage stroke for muscle groups of the neck, shoulder, torso, pelvis, legs, and feet. You’ll also learn how to use advanced working positions in prone, supine, side-lying, and sitting orientations to address each muscle group, helping you achieve a more comfortable and therapeutic session for your client. This practical guide explains the foundations of sports massage as a profession, including performance-related benefits of sports massage, common environments for professional practice (practice, event, clinical), range of clientele (recreational or serious athletes, physically active people), and applications (pre-, inter-, and post-event, or as part of a training regimen or rehabilitation program). Sports Massage emphasizes proper therapist mechanics, including working posture, proper table height, and effective client positioning to help improve the delivery of your technique and reduce strain to your arms, hands, and back. Highlighted in the text are tips on technique adjustments, and special “Client Talk” boxes offer suggestions for ways to communicate technical information to your clients. Throughout the text, self-test questions with answers allow you to check your understanding and reinforce your learning. In addition, a photo gallery index provides quick reference for checking techniques and their application. Organized for quick reference, Sports Massage explains massage modifications for common injuries and conditions and provides technical information to support your decision-making process. Information regarding contraindications and pathologies will prepare you to adapt your technique to accommodate a wide range of soft tissue conditions. In addition, discussion of equipment, hygiene, and safety considerations will help you be prepared for each therapy session. A discussion of client assessment and consultation will assist you in learning how to obtain the necessary information to address muscular issues during the therapy session. Sports Massage also discusses considerations in administering the technique to special populations, including individuals with spinal cord injuries, limb deficiencies and visual impairments, and cerebral palsy. In addition, you’ll find information on conducting sports massage before, during, and after sporting events. Part science and part art, effective sports massage relies on a therapist’s thoughtful application of knowledge and experience. Sport Massage provides a solid knowledge base, helping you learn how to work with your body efficiently and apply each technique with sensitivity. With its emphasis on correct body mechanics and effective client positioning, Sports Massage will help you improve your technique, reduce strain as you work, and provide a better quality of touch.

The Complete Guide to Sports Massage, 3rd edition is a comprehensive, practical handbook. Sports massage is the skilled manipulation of soft tissue for: the relief and treatment of muscle soreness and pain; the maintenance of muscle balance and improved flexibility; and enhanced rehabilitation from injury. Packed with jargon-free information, this fully updated guide includes step-by-step photography and detailed text explaining the principles and techniques of massage; injury management and post-massage care; as well as practical guidance on working at a sports event. Now with additional photography and the latest techniques, this is a must-have guide for students of sports therapy and anyone wanting a performance advantage.

Understanding the basics of stretching -- Focusing on facilitated stretching -- Using the spiral-diagonal patterns of PNF -- Stretches for the lower extremity -- Stretches for the upper extremity -- Stretches for the neck and torso -- Combining techniques to release fibrotic tissue -- Stretching routines for specific activities -- Routines for common soft tissue injuries.

This textbook on sports massage was created specifically for massage therapists, certified athletic trainers, and physical therapists who work with athletes. The author is an experienced massage therapy and athletic training educator and practitioner, and provides instruction on how to apply clinical massage techniques to athletes. The text is uniquely focused on the use and integration of basic sports massage, myofascial, neuromuscular, and lymphatic facilitation to enhance an athlete's performance potential and treat common athletic injuries and conditions. The book includes numerous diagrams and pictures of techniques to help readers visualize specific concepts and procedures. From the Field Boxes contain quotes from professionals who practice sports massage. Case Studies present common athletic injury scenarios and descriptions of treatment protocols.

Sports massage has come into its own as a vital tool for serious athletes. Recent advances in sports medicine have proven conclusively that preperformance massage can give athletes a competitive edge by improving endurance and flexibility, and that postperformance and maintenance massage can decrease muscle recovery time and help reduce injuries. Today, sports massage is a growing trend, with boutiques prospering in every major city and sports franchises making it an intrinsic part of their athletes' workout regimen. For those of us who need the knead but don't have masseurs at our beck and call, there's Sports Massage for Peak Performance. Based on the latest advances in sports medicine, it teaches athletes basic techniques that they can do on themselves or with a partner. It also provides sport-specific massages and discusses the latest advances in massage therapy. Featuring a section on how to massage for peak performance and spot, prevent and care for injury, this is indispensable equipment for weekend warriors, professional athletes and everyone in between. MASSAGE YOUR WAY TO PEAK PERFORMANCE! Like visualization, meditation and stretching, massageis a tool that helps athletes find their winning edge. Sports massage can optimize the body's performance in a particular sport and reduce the risk of injury. With a range of exercises for all athletes that can be done alone or with a partner, Sports Massage for Peak Performance can be used by professionals, amateurs and everyone inbetween. Reap the amazing benefits of sports massgage: Get in touch with your body -- learn and feel how it works. Improve muscle efficiency, circulation and movement in your sport. Aid rehabilitation and even prevent injury.Relieve stress and reduce soreness caused by intense exercise. Simply feel better -- experience a sense of calm and relaxation in and out of your sport.

Still recognized as the bible of sports massage, this book's simple principles can improve athletic condition and prevent injury to muscles. Four easily taught strokes locate and treat strained muscles used in many popular sports.