Sports Massage Therapy

Observation and listening are key to providing a sports massage that will benefit athletes of all levels. Wellspring Acupuncture‘s talented sports massage therapist, Leigh Erickson, begins by extensively observing the client to assess their specific challenges and needs. She also listens intently to their history, insights and complaints.

A sports therapy massage can include many elements, such as cross fiber friction, active release stretching, neuromuscular reprogramming therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and deep tissue massage. It all depends on the condition that the therapist is treating. Our massage therapist, Leigh, utilizes these techniques in every sports therapy massage, in addition to all her other massage therapy skills. Her use of stretching, an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, and general knowledge of physical exercises also help to advance an athlete’s recovery time.

Athletes of all levels tend to have chronically tight tendons and a tight iliotibial band

Heat therapy is an effective method of releasing these problem areas. Leigh uses hot stones and can get the client resolution of problems with hips, knees, and ankles due to tight tendons and an IT band quickly, sometimes in as little as one session. She is also well versed in relieving pain associated with sciatica, sacroiliac joint issues, frozen shoulder, and chronic neck pain.

Avoid heat in the early stages of an injury

One piece of advice to remember as an athlete is to ice an acutely injured area for about a week before you seek to use heat or to get a massage on the injured area. The use of ice helps reduce acute inflammation, so avoiding heat is recommended in early stages. It’s also very helpful to have an epsom salt bath a day after exercising excessively, if there are no injuries, to relieve related pain and soreness from repetitive use of muscles and joints. However, always seek the advice of a doctor with any serious injury.