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Sports Therapy for Athletes
Hi there, I’m Katie. I practice Sports Therapy in Burgess Hill at Falcon Health. I have played international level lacrosse for over ten years, competing in two World Cups. During this time, I experienced the benefits of good quality sports therapy first hand. The benefits of sports therapy include reducing muscular soreness, tightness, and fatigue. Since then, I have qualified and been insured as a professional Sports therapist. I am a full member of The Massage Association and The Society of Sports Therapists. Through sports therapy, I hope that I can help others reduce their physical pain and improve their athletic performance.
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At Falcon Health, our aim is to help you live without pain. Sports therapy is one of the most effective means of reducing pain. This is because it focuses on avoiding injury, and returning the patient back to peak physical condition. During physical activity, the body’s soft tissues can be damaged, which leads to muscle pain. Sports therapy is a deep tissue massage. It helps to speed up the recovery of your body’s soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It is a therapy based on classical Swedish massage. Yet, it also includes more advanced soft tissue therapy such as trigger point work and stretching exercises. During the massage, I apply firm pressure to muscle knots. This is why it is also called soft tissue therapy. In a deep tissue massage, we use a number of techniques to alleviate pain.
Joint Mobilisation
Trigger Point Therapy
Myofascial Release
Transverse Soft Tissue Release
Deep Tissue Massage
Lymphatic Drainage
Soft Tissue
A soft tissue massage has a number of steps. First, I ask the patient which muscles hurt and require attention. Then, I apply light pressure to these muscles so that they become warm and relaxed. Once I have done this, I use a combination of kneading, friction, and long strokes on the muscle to release the tension. I make sure to regularly check with the patient that I am applying the right amount of pressure. Sports therapy can be used in combination with chiropractic practice. However, it is also beneficial as a stand alone treatment.​
Sport
If you play sport at any level, sports therapy can be beneficial at any stage of your athletic performance. This includes during training, before and after a competition, during the competition, and whilst traveling. However, you don’t have to be an athlete to reap the benefits of sports therapy! Anyone who wants to prevent or recover from a soft tissue injury can benefit from soft tissue therapy. At Falcon Health, we recommend sports therapy for anyone who lives an active lifestyle. This includes manual workers, office workers, and those who regularly play sport as a hobby. In all these activities, a physical action is repeated. This action can lead to soft tissue injury. For example, an office worker could develop a tense back from sitting in the same position all day. Or, a powerlifting enthusiast could develop an injured back from repeatedly lifting weights. In both these situations, I would perform a back massage on the patient, using sports therapy to reduce their pain.
Benefits of Sports Therapy
Here at Falcon Health, we have treated thousands of patients. We have seen the wide variety of benefits that sports therapy can have. Most importantly, sports therapy reduces the likelihood of muscle injury. This is because it helps to relax and ease tense muscles. This means that there is a much smaller chance of soft tissue damage, which makes sports therapy a great way of preparing for participation in sport.
However, if you do get injured, soft tissue therapy helps speed up the process of recovery. The reason for this is that it improves circulation to injured areas, and remodels scar tissue when necessary. In addition, sports therapy improves lymphatic drainage to get rid of dangerous waste products. This also means that a soft tissue massage can shorten the recovery time between sports practice, as the patient can heal quickly from their injuries.
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Can physiotherapy help with sports-related injuries?
Yes, physiotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of sports-related injuries, from minor strains and sprains to more serious injuries.
Sports Therapy for Athletic Performance
Another benefit of sports therapy is that it improves athletic power and performance. When the muscles are eased in the massage, the muscle length and tone is increased. This means that the patient’s flexibility and range of movement is enhanced. So, after a massage, you will be able to push yourself further in your sport.
An added bonus is that sports therapy has psychological benefits. A good massage will leave you feeling calm and relaxed. This means that it is great mental preparation for a sports competition. However, it could just be a much-needed chance to relax. Who wouldn’t love a back massage to unwind after a stressful day!
Contact us to set up an appointment for your Sports Therapy in Burgess Hill and make a commitment to your well-being today.
