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Events Massage.
FAQ for Individuals:
FAQ for Events Organisers:
Download our "TAKE CARE WITH SPORT MASSAGE" PDF document here.
FAQ for Individuals
What is the difference between Events Massage and Sports Massage?
Sports Massage is a range of basic and advanced hands-on techniques that are performed with specific knowledge of how the body reacts to training and competition. The practitioner also has a high level of awareness in assessing appropriate treatment that should be carried out according to the individual, the situation and the environment. Sports Massage can take place in a clinic setting, or on-site at events, where it is generally referred to as Events Massage. For more information on Sports Massage in a clinical setting refer to Sports Massage in the Clinic section of our site.
Events Massage is a specialised form of Sports Massage which may be performed before (pre-event) or after (post-event) a competition, game or other sporting activity. In long competitions comprising of many heats/events, techniques may be performed between the heats.
It is imperative that the Practitioner performing either Sports or Events Massage is a fully qualified Sports Massage Practitioner and a member of either the Sports Massage Association (SMA: www.thesma.org) or the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage (ISRM: www.theisrm.com). An unqualified practitioner, even one who has had training in Swedish/Therapeutic Massage, is in danger of causing detriment to the competitor or his/her performance, through their lack of specific knowledge.
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How useful is Events Massage?
Evidence has shown that, properly administered, Events Massage can be very helpful in the following ways:
- Used in conjunction with a warm-up routine, pre-event massage helps to increase the physiological, physical and psychological readiness of the body for competition: circulation is increased, range of movement and flexibility is increased and the stimulating techniques used ensure the right degree of psychological readiness is maintained.
- Post-event massage is used primarily to help alleviate cramps or muscle spasms, facilitate the removal of excess fluid in the tissues and help restore the body’s functions to normal. Research has shown that post-event massage does help to prevent DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Practitioners will also use this session to advise on the need for further clinical treatment if necessary.
- Where competitors have multiple heats/games/matches on one day, inter-event massage can balance the need of the body to recover from the previous exertion with the need to ensure it is ready to compete again.
The objectives of each type of event massage are different, as are the needs of the individual competitor. Only a fully qualified SMA/ISRM Sports Massage Practitioner has been trained to deliver appropriate treatment according to the individual, the situation and the environment. Use of unqualified Sports Massage Practitioners can lead to detriment of the individual’s performance and/or body condition.
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What can I expect at an Events Massage Session?
The practitioner will ask you some brief questions to start with, focussing on how you are feeling – mentally and physically, whether you have been having any treatment for a condition, and maybe a bit about your training/competing schedule. If necessary, the practitioner will refer you to the on-site medical team. This would only happen to safeguard your own health & safety if the practitioner felt that massage would prove detrimental to your condition.
Events Massage may comprise of some therapeutic/Swedish massage strokes but should also incorporate more specialised techniques such Soft Tissue Release, Muscle Energy Techniques and active-assisted strokes that require your controlled movement whilst being performed.
You may be treated through clothing or in direct contact with the skin. You may be asked to sit or lie down on your back, side or front. Some techniques can be performed with you standing.
There is no common ‘procedure’ in Events Massage, although the practitioner works within specific guidelines according to the condition of the individual, the situation and the environment. To ensure that you get appropriate treatment, your practitioner should be a member of the SMA or ISRM – these professional bodies regulate the educational requirements and skills levels of their members, and membership must be renewed annually.
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How long does a session last?
The objectives of Events Massage are quite different to that of clinical massage, and the sessions are generally short. 10 minutes is an average length of time for a pre or post event session. Although sometimes when time is short, a couple of minutes of active techniques can be used to aid a competitor’s warm-up or help during an inter-event period. Sometimes time allows for a slightly longer post event session.
Your practitioner will generally give you some advice on how to enhance the effects of the session.
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When is the best time to have Events Massage?
Pre-event Massage: Not more than 2 hours before an event and should always take place in conjunction with a proper warm-up. Your practitioner will adapt the techniques according to whether you have done the main warm-up, or the massage is preceding it.
Post-event Massage: the body will benefit from post-event massage within 4 hours of the end of the event. The type and depth of techniques used is paramount. A fully qualified Sports Massage SMA/ISRM Practitioner will have knowledge of the benefits and limitations of a variety of techniques that will aid, not hinder, recovery.
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Why do I need, and who can provide me with, appropriate Events Massage?
It is becoming increasingly popular for ‘massage teams’ to be available at events. However, very few of these teams have people who are fully qualified Sports Massage SMA/ISRM Practitioners.
It does not matter whether the practitioner is a coach, personal trainer, physio or a Sports Medicine Doctor, if they are not a member of the SMA or ISRM, you cannot be sure that you are getting appropriate treatment. Furthermore, the treatment may be detrimental to you or your performance if it is administered by someone without the appropriate qualification.
The SMA/ISRM regulate the educational & skill level of their membership. Copies of the correct Insurance cover must be provided at the time of application. In addition, membership is on an annual basis and members have to evidence further development through CPD training in order to renew their membership.
You can ask the practitioner who is about to perform treatment for evidence of their membership to the SMA/ISRM (they will carry a card/copy of their certificate). If they are not a member, given the information on this site, you may want to question whether you should be receiving their treatment.
Alternatively, if you want to make sure you are being treated by an appropriately qualified practitioner, contact us via email to check if our Events Massage Team will be in attendance at your event. You can also access our Directory of practitioners to find a fully-qualified practitioner in your area, to ensure you get appropriate support treatment before and/after your event.
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What is the cost and how do I pay?
The cost of Events Massage varies between events depending on whether Events Organisers or Sponsors have covered the fees of the Team.
Where no costs have been covered, expect to pay about £5 for an events massage session (Sept 2007). The fee should be paid to the Events Massage Team co-ordinator immediately prior to the treatment being performed.
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For Events Organisers:
What’s the difference between Massage, Sports Massage and Events Massage?
Massage is a general term used to describe the performance of hands-on body techniques. The purpose of massage is to promote the inter-active effective functioning of each of the body systems to provide an overall increase in the health and well-being of the individual. Those trained in Swedish/Therapeutic Massage or Complementary Therapies will not have specific training in Sports or Events Massage.
Sports Massage is a range of basic and advanced hands-on techniques that are performed with specific knowledge of how the body reacts to training and competition. The practitioner also has a high level of awareness in assessing appropriate treatment that should be carried out according to the individual, the situation and the environment. Sports Massage can take place in a clinic setting, or on-site at events, where it is generally referred to as Events Massage.
Events Massage is a specialised form of Sports Massage which may be performed before (pre-event) or after (post-event) a competition, game or other sporting activity. In long competitions comprising of many heats/events, techniques may be performed between the heats.
It is imperative that the Practitioner performing either Sports or Events Massage is a fully qualified Sports Massage Practitioner and a member of either the Sports Massage Association (SMA: www.thesma.org) or the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage (ISRM: www.theisrm.com). An unqualified practitioner, even one who has had training in Swedish/Therapeutic Massage, is in danger of causing detriment to the competitor or his/her performance, through their lack of specific knowledge.
For more information about Sports and/or Events Massage click on FAQ for Individuals, or the Clinic section of the site.
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Who are the SSPM Events Massage Team?
The Managing Director, Jackie Clinch, is responsible for the administrative organisation of the Team, aided by duty coordinators/practitioners: Dr Jacqui Sharp, Amanda Aitken and Linda Murray, who oversee the organisation and delivery of treatment at larger events. At smaller events, practitioners may work individually, or in small groups to provide appropriate treatment to competitors.
All members of the Events Massage Team are SMA/ISRM members and have either graduated through our own fully accredited Training courses, or have been ‘vetted’ as achieving a qualification with the same educational and professional body accreditation as our own (approved Schools can be found via www.thesma.org or www.theisrm.com). As well as being fully qualified in Sports Massage, members hold appropriate insurance and must abide by a Code of Ethical Conduct.
SSPM currently offer its services at a range of events over Scotland, and as our reputation and members increase, we will be able to cover more events with greater numbers of practitioners.
Our Events Massage Team Members are identifiable by wearing clothing depicting our logo. Occasionally, student members of the SMA/ISRM under-taking our Training, displaying high practical ability and technical knowledge are invited to gain experience at events. They will always be under the direct supervision of senior Events Massage Team Members and again hold appropriate insurance and abide by the Code of Ethical Conduct. The use of students will always be discussed with Events Organisers at the time of booking.
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Why should we employ the services of the Team?
Event Massage is becoming much more prevalent at events in the UK. It is normal practice in many European, American and Australasian competitions. Amongst more elite athletes, it is an expected provision, when often their personal practitioner cannot be there immediately pre/inter/post event to treat them (usually for financial reasons).
Also, with the increased awareness of the benefits of sports massage at all levels of athlete from recreational upwards, competitors are looking for the ‘extra’ service that competitions can bring. This is particularly evident where competitors are travelling to and from events in a short time-frame and need treatment that will enhance their recovery to enable them to endure the long travel home.
In short – offering Event Massage keeps your Event up with the rest of the elite events.
SSPM offer a professional service of fully qualified graduates in Sports Massage – that is – all personnel – whether doctors, physios, sports scientists, or any other related profession - must have completed our courses or the equivalent to ensure they are appropriately qualified Sports Massage Practitioners. On occasions student members attending one of our Training courses, may be present and perform treatment, however, they are always under the supervision of fully qualified staff who will not be working on any other individual at the time.
Our Sports Massage Practitioners are members of the SMA or ISRM, both organisations demand the highest qualifications in Sports Massage available in the country, and work towards ensuring that sports people are only worked on by those with appropriate qualifications. These bodies are supported by the National Institutes of Sport and the Lead Bodies for all main sports.
Our practitioners can offer pre, inter and post event massage and appropriate aftercare advice. They are trained to refer where it is appropriate and NEVER work beyond the skills and knowledge developed as part of their training. This ensures the complete safety of the individual competitor.
We will provide literature for your competitors advising them of when and how to properly access Sports Massage, prior to, at the event and thereafter. We also offer a directory of appropriately qualified practitioners based over the country and a system of on-line booking (where feasible) for massage at events.
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How do we employ the Team?
In the first instance, you need to discuss your requirements with SSPM. The fees payable will depend on many factors such as the working environment for practitioners, the location of the event and the potential number of therapists required.
Contact us via email with basic information and we will respond with a telephone call to discuss your specific requirements.
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