Sports massage consists of specialized massage techniques primarily administered prior to, during, and after sporting events. This unique type of massage relieves fatigue and swelling, lessens muscle tension and increases flexibility in order to ensure maximum performance from an athlete and decrease the possibility of injuries. A sports massage therapist undergoes special training from a sports massage school and holds a sports massage degree.
Featured Sports Massage Schools
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Cortiva Institute – Massage therapy school with branches all over the US. Many of the schools are accredited by COMTA (Commision on Massage Therapy Accreditation)
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Heritage Education – ABHES accredited massage school with campuses on both coasts. Also offers distance learning options for sports massage therapist students who want flexibilty.
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ATI – Accredited by ACCSCT. Sports Massage Therapy programs with campuses in southern US
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AIMT – American Institude of Massage Therapy is a 25 year old massage therapy school with a 48 week long sports massage program accredited by BPPVE and ABHES.
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Types of Sports Massage and Benefits:
Sports massage is the general phrase pertaining to three different areas of the specialty, each of which has unique benefits and techniques. These include pre-event, post-event and maintenance massage.
The main purpose of pre-event massage is to aid in the prevention of injury. This form of sports massage assists in warming up and stretching the muscles which increases flexibility. Pre-event massage relaxes the muscles, decreasing tension. It also stimulates nutrients and blood flow. Also, pre-event massage mentally prepares the athlete.
The role of post-event massage is to relieve swelling, relax over worked muscles and help keep them flexible. Post-event massage stimulates blood flow and decreases muscle cramps. This special massage also relieves the pain associated with pulled and/or sore muscles and strains.
Maintenance massage is usually performed weekly, and in some cases, daily, in order to maintain good muscle condition. This type of massage stimulates blood and nutrient flow and aids in keeping muscle tissue loose. Maintenance massage decreases the growth of scar tissue, boost flexibility and expands the range of motion.
Training for all aspects of sports massage can be achieved at specialized sports massage therapy schools. Also, a sports massage degree can be earned from most generalized massage schools.
Duties of a Sports Massage Therapist:
The primary task of the sports massage therapist is to ensure the comfort of the patient from beginning to end. This is a detailed chore which involves everything from the correct room setup for each patient, to deciding the best treatment. The duties of the massage therapist include, preparing the room for each individual patient and talking with each and every patient prior to treatment in order to ensure the best course of action for that individual. Depending on a patient’s needs, the massage therapist might select background music, prepare oils, display candles or do any number of various tasks in preparation for a massage session.To become a sports massage therapist you may obtain sports massage training from a sports massage therapy school and earn a sports massage degree.
So what is so great about a Career in Sports Massage?
Sports massage therapy is a challenging career which provides great advancement opportunities. In addition to this, massage therapist enjoy a great sense of well-being and are the recipients of much appreciation from their clients. Further more, if you enjoy flexibility in your work schedule it might interest you to know that a number of massage therapist set their own hours. If you are interested in a rewarding career as a sports massage therapist there are a number of sports massage schools which offer specialized sports massage training.