The next workshop is coming up! Join me March 10-11 in Hartford, CT to learn Sports Massage for the Upper Body.
This two-day seminar (14 contact hours) will focus on the muscles and common conditions of …
Anatomy and biomechanics relevant to sports massage
Working with athletes or active clients
My personal reviews of products and services
Research articles regarding massage therapy and sports massage
Tips for finding the root cause of the injury
A study at the Human Movement and Function Laboratory (UK) looked at the effects of a single 30-second static stretch versus a 6-second agonist contraction PNF (Muscle Energy) technique on the hamstrings.
While the results showed a significant increase from both types of stretching, they found the PNF/MET stretching provided an better increase in range of motion (ROM). The static stretch resulted in an average of 7.53 degree increase in ROM, while the single bout of 6-second PNF stretching resulted in an increase of 11.80 degrees.
One thing to note is they did not specify how much effort was used by the participants during the PNF technique. There is a wide-range of thought on the effort of PNF stretching, from 10% of maximum contraction, up to a full 100% effort.
Take this study into account as you are working with athletes. I have found similar results in my practice, and utilize PNF/MET stretching often to release muscles before and/or after any hands-on massage techniques.
O’Hora, J, Cartwright, A, Wade, CD, Hough, AD, and Shum, GLK. Efficacy of static stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretch on hamstrings length after a single session. J Strength Cond Res 25(6): 1586-1591, 2011
Over the past year, I have been fortunate to be involved in the creation of a new sports medicine/physical therapy clinc (http://www.runinstitute.com). As great as this experience has been, it has unfortunately forced me to …
Those of you who have taken my Upper Body Sports Massage Course have heard me carry on about how incorrect scapular movement can lead to shoulder impingement. Here is information on a study regarding just …
On top of my private massage practice & Muscle Wisdom classes, I have been given the opportunity to become part of a new business venture. Starting in September 2010, I became the Associate Director of …
A study performed in the United Kingdom looked at the effects of lower limb compression tights and massage on the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in women. Test subjects performed 100 plyometric drop jump exercises …
The Science of Sport: The Barefoot running round-table discussion from UKSEM: Thoughts from "inside"
Thoughts from the Barefoot running round-table discussion at UKSEM: An inside view
Many of you will probably know by now that at the recent UKSEM conference in London, I chaired a session called “Natural Running – advanta…
Those of you interested in barefoot running should read this!
A better exercise for trapezius muscle balance?
by PerformancEDU, performancedu.comTrapezius muscle balance is important for normal shoulder function. Often in patients with impingement, the lower trapezius is much weaker than the upper trapezius. Traditional exercises to strengthen the lower trapezius such as…
A nice study from Athlete’s Performance on lower trap activation.
With SI pain, be sure to check for rectus femoris tightness.
The final Sports Massage courses are a week away. Register now at http://www.musclewisdom.com
Congrats to Mary Stack. Pan-American Paralympic Games bronze medalist!
Vacation is over. Time to cut the fingernails & get back to work!
Finally saw a couples massage next to the beach while on vacation. Looked nice in a gazebo by the surf!
This is my test Tumblr post. Tune in for more.
