Sports Massage : Professional Edition

Welcome to the start of something extraordinary!  The Videos in this section will guide you around the body and teach you how to use Sports Massage techniques in relation to each area.  It may be helpful to download the anatomy resources that go along with each video to give you a greater understanding of the muscle structures under the surface of the skin.  This knowledge of anatomy of the muscles will massively improve the accuracy and effectiveness of your massage application and the results you get with each client.

This Video shows the basic technique of Effleurage, the application of gliding strokes that follow the contour of the body.

Application: Use about 2lb / 1kg of pressure through hands. This technique increases circulation, improves skin qualities, increase relaxation in muscles, general relaxation of the area.

Purpose: To introduce touch, relax the client, Apply the lubricant, Encourage blood flow, Warm the tissues, Link between other techniques, Conclude the treatment

This video shows the basic technique of Compressive effleurage. This technique describes the application of gliding strokes like effleurage but with enough force to displace tissue and restore lymphatic and interstitial pathways.

Purpose: This technique is used to move fluid around the body from one area to another, to relax and release superficial fibres and open the fascia.

This video shows the basic technique of Petrissage, the application of lifting and squeezing pressure in multidirectional patterns.

Application: Use about 5lb / 2.5 - 3kg of pressure through hands. This technique is used to increase circulation, improve skin elasticity, improve fascia Mobility, increase movement and reduce adhesion. It can be deeper stroking, wringing or rolling.

Purpose: Mobilise muscles, reduce intramuscular congestion, reduce tension in muscle and fascia, address inhibition of movement through manipulation.

This video shows the basic technique of Stripping.  This technique used firm 5lb / 3kg of pressure along the direction of the muscle fibres to release deep adhesions.

Purpose: To release adhesions and knots and create a deep relax response in the muscle.

This video shows the basic technique of Tapotement. It can be applied as Hacking, cupping, beating or tapping.

This technique stimulates reflex contractions (Excites the sympathetic nervous system - fight or flight) and invigorates muscles.

This video shows the basic technique of Compression. This technique effects the movement of fluid around the body and spreads the muscle fibres.

It can also be used in conjunction with eccentric movement to stimulate the GTO (Golgi tendon organ or relax response) to relax the muscle.

This video shows the basic technique of Vibration or Shaking (shaking is a deeper form of vibration) :

This technique stimulates the nervous system but also relaxes superficial tissues, reduce spasms and cramps, reduces perception of pain and promotes good circulation.

Purpose - Relax hypertonic muscles that don't respond, reduce cramping.

This video shows the basic technique of Broadening Strokes. This technique uses the application of palm strokes from the mid line of a muscle away laterally and medially to open the tissue fibres and promote fluid movement.

Purpose: This technique is used to open tissues and promote blood flow.

This video shows the basic technique of frictions. Basic, simple friction is applied along the direction of the muscle fibres and is used to address adhesion in the muscle tissue. Cross friction is the use of a horizontal force adjacent to the direction of muscle fibre with deep pressure, promotes fluid and blood transference through adhered tissue, it also stimulates the nervous response to affect knots and scar tissue.

This video shows the basic technique of Cross-fibre Friction.  Cross friction is the use of a horizontal force adjacent to the direction of muscle fibre with deep pressure, promotes fluid and blood transference through adhered tissue, it also stimulates the nervous response to affect knots and scar tissue.

This video shows the basic technique of Palmar Frictions.  This technique uses the flat of the hands to cover a large area while drawing the tissue in opposing directions to release the tissue.

Purpose: To release deeper adhesion between muscle fascia layers and relax large areas.

This video shows the basic technique of Direct Pressure.  This technique uses the application of compression with static pressure.

Purpose: This technique helps to move fluid and stimulate GTO's to reduce tension and create a relax response.

This video shows the basic technique of Myofascial Release.  This used the application of deep, cross directional dragging away from a centre point to restore movement and improve fascial gliding.

This technique shows the basic technique of Fascial Hooking.  This technique uses deep pressure at a 45º angle to minimise skin movement and directly target the deeper fascia layers.

Critical thinking in action!

Learn to apply Sports massage techniques to the foot and ankle area.

Learn to apply Sports Massage techniques to the calf and ankle.

Learn to apply Sports massage Techniques to the back of the thigh.

Learn to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Glutes and Hip.

Learn to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Lower Back.

Learn to apply Sports Massage Technique to the Upper Back and Shoulders

Learn to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the neck and shoulders.

Learn how to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Chest and Shoulder.

Learn how to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Upper Arm and Shoulder.

Learn how to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Forearm and Elbow.

Learn to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Hand and Wrist.

Learn to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Front of the Thigh

Learn to apply Sports Massage Techniques to the Shin and Foot.

This quiz tests your critical thinking, ensuring that you understand how and when to apply sports massage techniques.

This section takes everything you have learned so far and puts it together into a Full Body routine. The video routine  in the next lecture was made with the intension that you can watch and follow along at the same time as practicing to help you get used to working around the body from one area to the next using a systematic routine to cover all the muscles across the whole body. You will find two editions of the same routine here, one with English subtitles to help you follow the printable version if you are a read/write learner of the routine and one version without if you are more of a visual learner.  In both cases, practicing the routine while you watch will kinaesthetically help you remember the routine and be able to apply it with your clients in the future.

It may also be helpful to download the printable version of the routine with step by step instructions from our resources here. Lots of our learners use this written instruction by laminating their copy so it can be used during treatment and can be wiped down and sanitised afterwards. 

This Video takes everything you have learned so far and puts it together into a Full Body routine. It has subtitles to explain the technique as you go. It was made with the intension that you can watch and follow along at the same time as practicing to help you get used to working around the body from one area to the next in a systematic routine.

It may also be helpful to download the printable version of the routine with step by step instructions from our resources here.

This Video takes everything you have learned so far and puts it together into a Full Body routine. It has subtitles to explain the technique as you go. It was made with the intension that you can watch and follow along at the same time as practicing to help you get used to working around the body from one area to the next in a systematic routine.

It may also be helpful to download the printable version of the routine with step by step instructions from our resources here.

Understanding the focus of a joint assessment when joints don't behave the way we expect - Pain, Joint Movement and End Range Feel.

Learn which three types of movement we use to assess each joint and what those movements tell us about the health of the joint and muscles involved.

Understanding the feel of the "End Range" of each joint helps you realise when joints don't behave the way that they should.

Learn to professionally assess the ankle joint and the muscles of foot, ankle and lower leg.

Learn to professionally assess the Knee Joint and the muscles of the upper and lower leg.

Learn how to professionally assess the Hip joint and the muscles surrounding it.

Learn how to professionally assess the Shoulder Joint, The muscles of the upper arm and upper back and chest.

Learn to professionally assess the elbow joint and the muscles of the upper and forearm.

Learn how to professionally assess the Wrist Joint and the muscles of the forearm and hand.

Learn how to professionally assess the whole spine and surrounding tissues.

Lets look backer what we have learned

This video shows the advanced technique of Trigger Point Therapy. It can be applied with a deep, static pressure, held into the muscle contraction or knot.

This technique stimulates a relax response in the nervous system and can be repeated multiple times in the same location.

This video shows the advanced technique of Muscle Energy Technique. It can be applied by creating a block in a muscle then initiating an eccentric contraction to stimulate a relax response..

This technique stimulates a relax response in the nervous system and can be repeated multiple times in the same location.

This video shows the advanced technique of Connective Tissue Technique. It can be applied with a light, rippling pressure, rolling through the superficial tissue to release scar tissue and fascial restriction.

This technique releases scar tissue between skin, muscle and fascial layers.

This video shows the advanced technique of Soft Tissue Release. It can be applied with a deep, static pressure, held into the tendons junction while the tendon and muscle is lengthened.

This technique stimulates a relax response in the nervous system and can be repeated multiple times in the same location.

This video shows the advanced technique of Connective Frictions. It can be applied with a deep, transverse movements to lift and jar the tissue into release.