Mel Cash spoke to Kritika Dua about the magical merits of sports massage
There is a new trick in town which is effective in preventing aches and pains — sports massage. The therapy is making waves and sports therapist, Mel Cash was in town to demonstrate it’s efficacy.
Cash demonstrated the technique on his daughter to display the correct way of putting pressure on joints as well as the right amount of it so that it does not become painful. He unveiled the hidden techniques of sports’ massage so that it can be an effective tool for treating common muscular problems that many people and not just athletes can take advantage of.
Sports massage therapy is a unique technique that is different from the popular relaxation techniques used in spas for it can easily spot an injury or a strained muscle and help a sportsman or an individual to recover at a much faster pace than physiotherapy or any other treatment.
Sports massage which is very popular in UK as well as US and is slowly gaining momentum in India, for a reason. Cash said, “Sports massage can treat all kinds of musculoskeletal problems. It reduces pain, discomfort and symptoms of muscular problems to finally release chronic tensions.”
Cash demonstrated the manner of effectively applying the right amount of pressure depending on the pain and the problems to the therapists at The Imperial Spa. Cash has over 30 years of experience in sports massage and is a founder, principal tutor at london School of Sports Massage.
He also pointed out that injuries or muscle spasms occur when someone is new to exercising. “It happens because the muscles are not used to work outs. Opting for a sports massage in this case will be of great help as it will open the clogged tissues,” said Cash.
Good pain, which he defines as pain which is not uncomfortable, is a vital factor in sports massage as it is used at a therapeutic level. Cash highlighted the guidelines for a good sports massage. He said, “The trained therapists use the right amount of strength and control to make the recovery faster and smoother for a sportsperson or an individual in pain.” And he listed an interesting way to make out if the massage was giving relief or was the cause of pain. “We ask the therapists to pay close attention to their facial expressions to gauge if the massage is causing too much pain.” he said. Cash takes pride in training therapists and said that around one year is needed to teach the techniques but one can perfect it only with time.
The therapist said that the massage is more of a preventive measure against injuries rather than letting a person reach a stage where treatment is required. “Sports massage is a preventive therapy and is applicable for all – from an athlete to a not so active individual. The massage which moves in this deep tissue therapy is based on Taichi, an effective treatment for relieving pain which uses energy rather than force,” he said. The sports massage specialists are practitioners and also do psychotherapy along with massage to understand the issues of the patient and assist in recovery of the affected muscle, symptomatically. Cash himself, maintains good health by eating right and tries to be maintain perfect posture while massaging. Knuckles, elbows and thumbs are primarily used while performing a sports message.
The massage is a perfect remedy for lifestyle issues like incorrect posture, back pain and neck pain. Cash pointed out that when we sit for long hours, our abdominal muscles are used inefficiently and it leads to tightening of back muscles which eventually causes back pain. “Sports massage helps in alleviating the symptoms but it can come back if a person does not improve the posture and makes lifestyle changes,” said Cash. The lifestyle changes includes reducing weight and exercising.
Sports massage is also beneficial for neck pain as it relieves the unpleasant
tension and pain to provide relief. The magic therapy reduces symptoms of all sorts of joint problems including arthritis.
He advised, “I would suggest that one should also focus on strengthening the abdominal muscles in the right manner to increase their core stability for supporting the back but too much of strengthening and tightening can also cause trouble. Men with six-pack abs can have breathing issues and women with tight pelvic muscles formed due to excessive Pilates can develop urinary incontinence.”
like everything else in life, a balance should be maintained. Both, regular sports massage sessions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are eseential for a quality life.