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General Maintenance~All Season Massage

I work with a lot of Triathletes, Swimmer, and middle/long distance runners throughout their race seasons and training seasons. Seems a lot of times there is no "off" season. As soon as they recover from one race, they are training for another, doing a lot of big days, high mileage, hard efforts, etc, they are always in this limbo of preparation and recovery. I'm sure this is true for many of us.

All that to say, sports massage is not simply race recovery and preparation, 15 minute sessions. I have my favorite techniques I use to keep the body balanced and injury free. Wondering what you all have found useful? Any secrets, tips, advice?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Larry Warnock on October 26, 2009 at 4:35pm

In my practice, most of my clients are "year-round: athletes...hockey, soccer, track, wrestling, etc. For most, the most effective way to condition is a four-season approach: Prep season - weight training, focus on weaknesses, etc. kinectic chain work; Pre-season- where the focus is on the muscles used in the sport, etc.; in-season...no heavy lifting, core work, flexibility, etc. and then recovery season.

I include very specific trigger point work in my sportsmassage practice, focusing on checking those muscles and body parts most vulnerable depending on the sport. I do 45-minute sessions with most of my regular athletes all the time.

In my work with one college football team, I see the same players every week...so far not one single injury because I eliminate the triggers before they cause injuries. In my experience, trigger points are responsible for about 75% of most soft tissue injuries to athletes.

Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Bishop on October 26, 2009 at 6:08pm

Wow, that is impressive.

Larry Warnock said:

In my practice, most of my clients are "year-round: athletes...hockey, soccer, track, wrestling, etc. For most, the most effective way to condition is a four-season approach: Prep season - weight training, focus on weaknesses, etc. kinectic chain work; Pre-season- where the focus is on the muscles used in the sport, etc.; in-season...no heavy lifting, core work, flexibility, etc. and then recovery season.

I include very specific trigger point work in my sportsmassage practice, focusing on checking those muscles and body parts most vulnerable depending on the sport. I do 45-minute sessions with most of my regular athletes all the time.

In my work with one college football team, I see the same players every week...so far not one single injury because I eliminate the triggers before they cause injuries. In my experience, trigger points are responsible for about 75% of most soft tissue injuries to athletes.

Permalink Reply by Frank J on January 7, 2010 at 9:51am

Larry Warnock said:

In my practice, most of my clients are "year-round: athletes...hockey, soccer, track, wrestling, etc. For most, the most effective way to condition is a four-season approach: Prep season - weight training, focus on weaknesses, etc. kinectic chain work; Pre-season- where the focus is on the muscles used in the sport, etc.; in-season...no heavy lifting, core work, flexibility, etc. and then recovery season.

I include very specific trigger point work in my sportsmassage practice, focusing on checking those muscles and body parts most vulnerable depending on the sport. I do 45-minute sessions with most of my regular athletes all the time.

In my work with one college football team, I see the same players every week...so far not one single injury because I eliminate the triggers before they cause injuries. In my experience, trigger points are responsible for about 75% of most soft tissue injuries to athletes.

Mr. warnock, I have a question. I am attempting to work with the college here in my area to work with their athletes and also the arena league football team. What exact steps did you take to obtain those athletes so i can do the same thing. thanks