The competitive athlete, whether amateur or professional, presents specific challenges to the massage therapist. To treat these individuals, the therapist should have a background in sport specific activities, be aware of the effects of training, and understand injury types and rehabilitation applications. This text describes patterns for sport activities (like running, throwing, impact, and repetitive use) and provides guidelines for applying massage to specific sports. Because athletes depend on highly coordinated neuromuscular activity, assessment and massage applications that address these physiologic mechanisms are covered in depth.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Preface
Unit I – Theory and Application of Fitness and Athletic Performance
1. The World of Sports and Fitness Massage
2. What is Sports Massage?
3. Scientific Validation of Sports Massage Benefits
4. Relevant Anatomy and Physiology
5. Fitness First
6. Sport Specific Movement Performance
7. Nutritional Support and Banned Substances
8. Influences of the Mind and Body
Unit II – Sports Massage, Theory and Application
9. Physiologic Mechanisms of Massage Benefits
10. Indications and Contraindications for Massage
11. Assessment for Sports Massage and Physical Rehabilitation Application
12. Review of Massage Methods
13. Focused Massage Application
14. General Massage Protocol
15. Unique Circumstances and Adjunct Therapies
Unit III – Sport Injury
16. Injury in General
17. Pain
18. General Categories of Injury and Dysfunction
19. Medical Treatment for Injury
20. Systemic Illness and Immunity
21. Injuries by Area
Section IV
22. Case Studies
Glossary
Index
