Sports Massage what is it? Can it help treat and prevent sports injuries?Qualification levels and what do they mean?

The most common advertisement for sports massage is being able identify and loosen areas of tightness helping to stop them developing into injuries. Throughout the tonnes of research that has been carried out on the effects of massage, there are mixed opinions on the evidence of the effectiveness of sports massage[1].

There is evidence supporting the psychological benefits of massage[2] and that it can improve the recovery from injury by helping to relieve muscle tension, reduce soreness and stress[3]. People who find sports massage particularly beneficial tend to have them regularly, particularly pre and post event. It is an area where regularity may help. The more often you go for sports massage the more the therapist can learn your body and know where to focus on if there any problem areas for injury or areas more prone to tension and aches.

Sports massage is regulated on a voluntary basis rather than by legal statute which means that the title sports massage is not protected. Neither is the term ‘Sports Therapist’. It is therefore worth checking the credentials of the person you are seeing to ensure they are a member of a reputable industry association such as the Society of Sports Therapists (SST), Sports Massage Association (SMA) or the Institute for Soft Tissue Therapists (ISRM).
 
What do the qualification levels mean?
Sports Massage qualifications range from a level 3 to 5 with 5 being the highest vocational sports massage qualification in the UK.  Level 3 and 4 therapists are trained on massage for injury prevention and as part of preparing people for activities. A level 5 therapist is trained to provide management, manipulation and rehabilitation of injuries.
 
Level 3- A level 3 therapist will have learnt the basics with a focus on preparing the body for sport, maintenance, and recovering from an event. 
Level 4- A level 4 therapist has received more in depth training and understands the role posture plays, common syndromes, muscular imbalances, and treating common sports conditions. 
Level 5 - A level 5 therapist builds on this training learning a wider range of sports conditions, understanding the role and impact of gait mechanics, the peripheral nervous system and a wider range of orthopaedic tests and assessment methods. They learn more about treatment planning and rehabilitation.  
 
The Chairman of the ISRM (Mel cash) states “Regular sports massage as an integral part of a training programme should help you stay injury free and enhance your performance. However, if you sustain an injury it is better to see a therapist with a Level 5 qualification who is trained and insured to treat minor and chronic sports injuries”.

Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today if you have any questions as to whether you can benefit from sports massage. Call Hayley on 07934543683 or alternatively if you think it is for you - click on book now below to check availability and prices of appointments.

[1]The role of massage in sports performance and rehabilitation: current evidence and future direction. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2008;3(1):7-21.
[2]Hemmings B, Smith M, Graydon J, et al Effects of massage on physiological restoration, perceived recovery, and repeated sports performance British Journal of Sports Medicine 2000;34:109-114.
[3]The role of massage in sports performance and rehabilitation: current evidence and future direction. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2008;3(1):7-21.