Call Us - Hunt Club613-224-2077 Call Us - Kanata343-309-9654 Book Online Today What is a sports massage — and what you need to know before getting one Injury prevention and high performance Whether you’re a professional or an amateur, if you’re a competitor you know how it feels to push your body to its absolute limit. If you spend enough time on the field, in the gym, or on the ice, chances are you’ll experience an injury or two. Although being an athlete comes with certain occupational hazards, sports massage can be just the thing to help you manage these issues. Sports massage is a popular and useful tool to address those aches, pains and strains that keep you from performing at your best. There are a number of common sports injuries that can be treated with sports massage, including: Pulled, torn, or strained muscles Tendon and ligament sprains Repetitive strain injuries Swimmer’s shoulder Torn rotator cuff Ankle sprains Knee injuries Tennis elbow Shin splints Contact us today to schedule an appointment Name* Email* Phone* Choose location*West Hunt ClubKanata Choose service*PhysiotherapyChiropractorAcupunctureMassage TherapyDietitianYogaCold PlungeInfrared SaunaIV Therapy Message* Input this code: Thank you for requesting an appointment We usually respond within one business day. If you’ve messaged us outside of normal business hours, we will be happy to help you once we’re back. Please note that no bookings are final until we have reserved a time slot using your credit card. Hours of operation Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: Appointment only Sunday: Closed Please be aware of our cancellation policy. What is a sports massage and how does it work? All massages at Elysian Wellness are performed by a registered massage therapist (RMT). Similar to a deep tissue massage, a sports massage combines deep, sustained pressure and fast strokes to encourage muscle release. Your massage therapist may supplement your treatment with other techniques like compression, pressure point therapy, and joint mobilization. Sports massage has a wealth of physical health benefits. Depending on your condition and what you want out of the treatment, these include: Pain reduction Improved focus Injury prevention Overall relaxation Reduced inflammation Improved athletic performance A sports massage has a key difference from a deep tissue massage. A deep tissue massage can be full-body or may focus on specific areas of the body. A sports massage exclusively targets specific groups of muscles that athletes use according to their sport. Not only does sports massage help your injuries heal faster, but it also increases blood flow around your soft tissues and improves your range of motion. This can decrease your risk of future injuries and help you perform better on game day. If you’re an athlete, it’s important to see a registered massage therapist who specializes in treating sports injuries. Elysian Wellness RMTs are licensed healthcare professionals with extensive education and experience in sports massage therapy. They’re trained to develop treatment plans based on your physical and biomechanical needs as an athlete. Some RMTs receive specialized training beyond general sports massage. A frequent runner, for example, may want to see a massage therapist with specialized training in orthopedic treatment and assessment. When booking your appointment, don’t be afraid to ask about their background and experience with your type of sports injury. What to expect Before you arrive at your appointment, the most important thing is to make sure you’re well hydrated for your massage. Dehydration causes stiff muscles, which can result in a more painful massage. You should also avoid overeating before your appointment. Massage naturally slows down your digestive system, which can cause unnecessary discomfort on the table. Keep your pre-massage snack light and save that hearty meal for after your appointment. When it comes time to hop onto the table, remind yourself that a sports massage is different from a relaxation massage. There may be some discomfort. Your massage therapist will likely have you interacting physically and moving around during your session. Remember to communicate and let them know if the discomfort is becoming too severe. After your session, your RMT will most likely give you some techniques and exercises to perform at home. This is the best way to maintain the progress you’ve made during your appointment. Neglecting to keep up with your homework could cause your injury to flare up again, and you’ll be back at square one. Soreness after a sports massage is completely normal and will ease up after 24–48 hours. Take it easy for the first little while following your appointment. If a week goes by and you’re still feeling sore or tight, that could point to an area of weakness that needs more attention. In that case, we recommend that you discuss the issue with your massage therapist. Restorative vs. rehabilitative sports massage When booking your appointment, it helps to be specific about what type of treatment you’re looking for. A restorative sports massage is designed to help prevent injury and performed on a regular basis during training. It focuses on loosening specific muscle groups that are used most often, allowing you to train and recover better with less risk of injury. It also focuses on techniques that will improve circulation and range of motion. A rehabilitative sports massage, on the other hand, is only used after sustaining an injury. The main focus is to alleviate pain and stimulate healing so your body can get back into top shape. When should I get a sports massage and how often? How frequently you see your RMT completely depends on you. While some athletes use massage therapy strictly to rehabilitate injuries, some choose to go more frequently on a preventative basis. If you’re prone to discomfort or sore muscles, this may be the route for you. Your massage therapist will get to know you and your body and will then design a treatment plan accordingly. Don’t confuse your RMT with your physician. Sports massages are not designed for diagnosing problems. Massage is a preventative treatment and a recovery tool. Some injuries — like broken bones — are not effectively treated with massage therapy. If you’re in a lot of pain and your injury has not been diagnosed, a doctor’s assessment may help you decide whether massage therapy is the best way to go. Likewise, if you’re still experiencing serious pain in the days and weeks following your sports massage, you may want to consider consulting a doctor instead. Your Elysian Wellness RMT will be happy to point you in the right direction if they feel a different treatment route is necessary. When should I not get a sports massage? We recommend you don’t get a sports massage immediately before a big game or race. Those who are familiar with massage can benefit from a quick visit to their massage therapist in the days and weeks leading up to a big event, but it’s not a good idea to go for a sports massage immediately before the big day. If this is your first time experimenting with massage therapy, give your body extra time to recover before putting strain on it again. Generally, 48 hours is a safe window to wait, as any post-massage soreness should have cleared up by then. Instead, a relaxation massage might be a good option. A relaxation massage is a very gentle type of treatment that’s intended to help relieve stress, not necessarily to treat specific injuries. Ready for a sports massage? For many athletes, sports massage therapy is a safe and effective way to treat injuries and prevent them from happening in the future. Consider incorporating massage to your training regimen and be open with your RMT about your problems and goals. Massage is no longer just a luxury — it is a worthwhile investment into your health and performance. Contact us today to schedule an appointment Book online now