This article presents some of the benefits of basic Swedish-style massage for athletes reasonably well. Unfortunately, the author mistakenly presents Per Henrik Ling as the father of Swedish Massage. Ling learned massage techniques from others, and incorporated it as one small piece of his more comprehensive system of medical gymnastics, which was also called "The Swedish Movement Cure." (Side Note: Ling's system layed the foundations for the modern versions of Swedish massage, physiotherapy, various forms of military training, and competitive gymnastics.)
The author seems reasonably knowledgeable about the effects of exercise on various body systems, but then she gives questionable explanations of basic techniques. I was particularly disturbed by the way her presentation of Trigger Point Therapy, as it does not resemble any of the Trigger Point work I have ever learned, experienced, or provided. Trigger Point Therapy is not a subset of Friction techniques, nor does it affect the tissues as described, nor are Trigger Points limited to the shoulders and upper back - they can occur in any muscle, in the myofascia, the periosteum, tendons, or ligaments. A quick review of Janet Travell's manuals would add much to this author's knowledge base. However, Trigger Point Therapy IS very effective, and works well as a complementary modality in conjunction with Swedish massage - I use them in combination with my clients, and get incredible therapeutic results.
I would like to have seen the author mention Cross Fiber Friction as an advanced application of Friction methods, as I find it highly effective in combination with Trigger Point Therapy and Swedish-style massage, particularly for athletes.
The article should state that the techniques presented should only be performed by a trained massage therapist. There are many times that massage is contraindicated, or techniques need to be modified for the patient's safety. Failing that, the author should at least advise readers to be very cautious about the amount of pressure applied, as overdoing it can lead to significant (potentially permanent) pain and injury. The techniques demonstrated also lack instruction on appropriate body mechanics, leaving the person performing them at greater risk of self-injury.
The author also seems to have an issue with male therapists and with "holistic" healing practices. As a male therapist, I occasionally find that some people (for whatever reasons) do prefer female therapists, but just as many others (for whatever reasons) prefer male therapists. My clients are about 50/50 men and women, of all ages. I utilize multiple treatment modalities with most of my clients, including stretching and basic exercises, but I don't consider myself a "holistic" therapist. I am glad the author didn't go into detail on what "holistic" therapies she finds offensive, as her personal list may include some methods that are highly effective for millions of other people. Instead, she wisely advises the reader to form their own opinion and find a therapist that works for them.
As a massage therapist, I work in a massage center better known for relaxation work, but about 90% of my clients request specific therapeutic work instead. The techniques presented in this article represent the most elementary level of massage, barely scratching the surface of what a skilled practitioner can provide. As a personal trainer, I work in a large gym and often refer clients to competent massage therapists (if my massage location is not convenient to them) to speed the healing process and/or to improve athletic performance. In most cases, I see dramatic improvements in short periods of time.
Last, I was very happy to see the author include a link for readers to see relevant licensing regulations applicable in each state. I would like her to have more strongly recommended seeing therapists that have passed the national certification exam to earn a NCTMB or NCTM certification. Those are the only two national certs that mean anything, and retaining those certifications requires the massage therapist to pursue continuing education and advance their skills. Whenever possible, athletes should seek treatment from nationally certified therapists, as the quality of available training varies tremendously. In general, therapists graduating from nationally accredited training programs will have much higher standards and higher levels of skill, and clients should certainly inquire about the education level of their therapist. A list of all COMTA-accredited massage therapy training programs may be found here:
http://www.comta.org/sch_directory.html
a few good points, but falls well short on quality
Linear Mode
