The Philosophy of Dynamic Muscular Therapy
Within the therapeutic world it is commonly accepted that healing and growth occur in the presence of motion. It is when we stagnate, refuse to move and change, than our wounds begin to gradually twist our bodies through compensational movement patterns, slowly crippling us, robbing us of much of the joy in life. Although a common experience to all people, it is perhaps most keenly felt by the most physically active amongst us, the athlete, where performance suffers even before pain is felt. Tissues need to be remodeled and neuromuscular responses need to be reprogramed through movement. Manual therapies, although often a powerful and crucial tool in the process, cannot by themselves change these patterns. Changes in movement patterns must accompany therapeutic massage in this case to provide therapy, that is, resolving the cause of the movement dysfunction causing pain.
Clinical Sports Training Massage
This philosophy of Dynamic Muscular Therapy is the guiding principle behind Clinical Sports Training Massage at Soarbody Therapeutics. Regardless of the reason the athlete in training has scheduled their initial appointment, an initial assessment is performed involving a minimum of an intensive history activities, injuries and surgeries and postural analysis, and then the needs athlete in training are discussed and a plan agreed upon within the framework of the assessment results.
More extensive orthopedic testing to screen for injuries, passive and active tests for appropriate muscle strength and range of motion and an analysis of training routines, training cycles, demonstration of execution of techniques and well as the discussion of the general health parameters of hydration, nutrition and sleep may also be included in the initial assessment, depending on the needs of the athlete. All these assessment elements may be used throughout the athlete’s training cycles during reassessment to determine progress.
Timing Sports Training Massage
The athlete needs to consider how to best apply sports training massage to fit their particular needs within their training and competition cycles. Below are some timing and outcome considerations for sports training massage.
During Competition – this is literally on the side of the track, field or pool. Performed within 90 minutes of play, for only 10-15 minutes, light, quick, general strokes are used to warm muscles, increase blood flow, decrease tension and stimulate the nervous system for the improve neuromuscular readiness that reduces risk of injury and improves performance.
Prevention and Maintenance – performed between competitions, deeper work to remove any restrictions in the tissues and make corrections to the body to help improve performance and reduce injury. Careful consideration is given to timing and intensity of competitions and training so treatment does not disrupt performance, so knowing the sport and training routines is important.
Injury and Rehabilitation – often performed as part of sports medicine team, the athlete can be either in or out of competition. Techniques vary widely during the same treatment. Deactivating trigger points, optimizing scar tissue mobility and normalizing tissues effected by injury all improve the injured athlete’s compromised movement and minimize the healing time while increasing the quality of tissue healing.
Massage for Recovery – the most beneficial to the competitive athlete! Performed within 1 to 3 hours post competition, broad, deep strokes are used for flushing soft tissues without discomfort. This noninvasive treatment can reduce muscle fatigue when playing multiple matches and reduce the delayed onset of muscle soreness, helping the athlete prevent injury due to fatigue/pain and maintain optimal performance through multiple events. (Note: Time can be tricky for recovery massage, but athletes in local events can contact me and I will customize a time slot for a 60 minute treatment timed with their event).
