Sports massage is not just for athletes - recover after exertion

Sports massage is often seen as something only for athletes, and as something that must automatically be strong, painful and fast – simply "really hard". I often come across the opinion that if a massage doesn't hurt, it can't help. That you have to press and push, and sometimes it resembles torture more than therapy. But it doesn't have to be like that at all. In this article I will show you how I see sports massage – as a physiotherapist and massage therapist who works with top athletes (biathletes, bowlers), but also with recreational golfers, hikers and people who do physical work.

What sports massage is and its forms

The basic purpose of sports massage is to help the body cope with physical load, recover faster and thus improve training and performance and prevent injuries. It is used in different phases of the training cycle – before performance (preparatory), after performance (recovery) and during rehabilitation. It is about a tired body that needs to recover, release or prepare for the next day.

Who sports massage is for

Many of us have jobs that are as demanding as sport. Whether you spend your holiday chopping wood and getting your chalet in Donovaly ready, ski for several days in Jasná, or overdid it on a hike in the Tatras and are now troubled by pain and fatigue – sports massage may be ideal for you. The same applies if your work is physically demanding – like that of a carpenter, bricklayer, waitress or even a massage therapist. The problems caused by physical activity are no different between top athletes and ordinary active people.

Effects of sports massage - recovery, injury prevention and performance

Various techniques can be used in sports massage. Some are relaxing in nature, some act on deep tissues and can dissolve trigger points, others can be gentle and lymphatic. Depending on the effect we want, we choose these techniques and thus achieve the desired effect.

When and how intensive (strong) a sports massage should be

For a sports massage to fulfil its purpose, it is important to adapt it to what you have behind you – and to what still lies ahead. A massage after three days of skiing will look different from one the day before a hike. It is good to give the therapist this information in the conversation before the massage – based on it, they will choose the right technique and intensity. You may be surprised to find that it doesn't have to hurt at all. On the contrary, it will be pleasant and gentle and you will feel the effect the next day.

What makes our mobile sports massage at Masáže Tatry different

Based on many years of experience massaging in sports clubs and massaging people right at chalets, log cabins and events, where clients often combine relaxation with active movement, we approach each client as individually as possible. We know that someone has just come back from a hike, someone else has another demanding day on skis ahead, or wants to play golf the next day – and we adapt the technique and intensity to that.

That is why you can choose a recovery sports massage and a preventive sports massage with us – or we combine them as needed:

Recovery sports massage

It helps you recover quickly after exertion. It is gentler, supports blood circulation, lymph drainage and the release of tired muscles. After it, the client feels rested and ready for another day full of activities. Ideal during multi-day sports activities, with muscle soreness, the day before a sports performance, or during several days of work.

Preventive sports massage

It is more intensive (strong), works deeper and focuses on trigger points, fascial chains and improving mobility. It can temporarily put a slight strain on the body – which is why we recommend it on days off or at least 24 hours before a planned load.

If this seems complicated, don't worry – our mobile massage therapist will ask about everything, suggest a suitable sports massage and tailor it to your requirements. For a better understanding, however, here are a few examples from practice.

Tailor-made sports massage – real situations from chalets, apartments and homes

• Sports massage in the comfort of an apartment in Donovaly during a multi-day ski trip

  You are on a multi-day ski trip in Donovaly and already feel tired, but you would still like to ski. In this case, a classic/Swedish massage, or a hard preventive massage, would damage the already tired and torn muscle fibres in your legs. That is when we recommend a gentle recovery massage. Gentle strokes that supply the muscles with blood, gradually release them and do not damage the already tired and irritated muscles. Because muscles literally get injured after hard training. On the legs we can mobilise the small joints, the foot and the heel. We add gentle stretching strokes for the hips, buttocks and lower back. And on top, the tired trapezius and shoulders – there we can increase the intensity and massage them more firmly. Depending on their condition, we can treat the arms with a medium-strength recovery massage. It is all about what you still need. Then just plenty of fluids, good sleep, a dynamic stretch in the morning and you can go and enjoy the freshly groomed slopes.

• A corporate team building at a chalet in the Tatras – neck pain and headaches during a sports event? A targeted sports massage will help

  Are you at a corporate team building at a chalet in Nová Lesná, but for several days you have been troubled by a stiff neck, neck pain or a pressure headache?

  Sports massage is suitable in this case too – in the form of a preventive technique focused on the upper back, neck and shoulder-blade area. We work purposefully – we look for the cause (shortened muscles, spasms, overload) and release it with strokes that improve range of motion and reduce tension.

  At the same time, if you are planning a longer hike or an e-bike road trip around Liptov the next day, we will work very gently on the lower limbs – in recovery mode – so that you wake up in the morning with light legs, without feeling tired from the massage.

• Do you work hard and are finally resting at a chalet in Liptov? Now is the time for a sports massage

  If you work hard as a builder or carpenter, or do manual work all day, recovery often gets pushed aside. Only now – when you are finally at a chalet in Liptov with your family, far from the rush of work – is the ideal time to give your body what it needs.

  A preventive sports massage is just right for you; we focus on stiff muscles, shortened tendons and blockages in the shoulders, lower back or shoulder blades. We use stretching and fascial techniques that are common in sports massage but also work great for working people without regular compensation.

  If you are just relaxing at the chalet, barbecuing or playing with the kids, we can adapt the massage and go deeper more intensively – the body can handle it and will finally release what it has neglected for years. After such a massage you may feel tired for 1–2 days, but then comes significant relief and a better feeling in your body. Perhaps this is where you realise that massage is not just relaxation, but real maintenance of the musculoskeletal system that you deserve regularly. Just like an athlete.

Where in Slovakia can you order a sports massage at home, at a chalet or apartment?

Below you will find the most popular locations where clients regularly order our sports and recovery massages – right at their chalet, apartment or home. We massage in mountain areas, tourist destinations and larger cities.

The most popular locations include:

• Donovaly
• Liptovský Mikuláš
• Demänovská Dolina, Jasná and the surroundings
• High Tatras (Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec)
• Poprad
• Banská Bystrica
• Zvolen, Badín, Sliač and the surroundings
• Horehronie (Lopej, Tále, Mýto, Čierny Balog...)

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