Mirrored: 3rd of April 2010, 15:23 Original: www.ultimate-sports-massage.com Views: 77 Settings: Loading the mirror...
Link: canonical IFrame skip to main | skip to sidebar Ultimate Sports Massage, LLC Lori-Ann A. Gallant-Heilborn 2077 West Shore Road, Warwick RI 02889 1-401-523-8404 Saturday, November 7, 2009 Working With Injured Athletes [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] WORKING WITH INJURED ATHLETES... * What is the psychology of an injured athlete ~~ what are they going through? * how do we interact with them at an event ? * what is our approach with them at the office ? * what to say & how to explain the issues they are experiencing ? * what is their post event protocol for recovery ? * what does their training, nutrition & hydration consist of ? I've wanted to talk about this subject for a long time. I think it really hit me hard & has stayed with me since I encountered an athlete (runner @ a marathon) who was taken to the medical tent for severe muscle spasms. This particular athlete had never experienced this kind of issue before and didn't really know how to process what was happening. Lets face it, if you train healthy, eat healthy and have a good plan for recovery ~~ being sent to the medical tent for fluid IV hydration is scary. So why does this happen? A question I wish I could answer, but I can't: HOWEVER, there are so many possible reasons it occurs. * HYDRATION ~~ or lack of -- what are you drinking * NUTRITION ~~ are you getting what you need * PROPER EXERCISE * RECOVERY PLAN ~~ how are you treating your body after a hard workout - competition - event? * WEATHER I was called to the medical tent to help stop systemic cramping of an athletes quadriceps. I utilized the proper techniques ( direct pressure & approximation) these 2 seemed to work best for this athlete. Funny thing is as I scanned the medical tent I noticed 2 other sports massage therapists from my team! WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?? So lets back up alittle: the athletes in question, or the ones we encountered all had set training schedules & routines. Everyone had a different approach ~~ one that worked for them. All of them were excited about the event & ready to go! None of them participated with a pre-existing injuries. ( information we gathered from them) So why would this occur to a seemingly healthy athlete? A possible explanation could be their nutrition or lack of. What are they missing, are they trying out a new product or trying a new fad diet? Another issue is hydration! Are these athletes taking in enough fluids on a regular basis. Are their muscles, tendons & ligaments properly hydrated? Supple enough for the continuous physical demand placed on them for the activity in question. What about stretching ~~ is it incorporated into the training schedule? What kind of stretching & is it being facilitated correctly? Another important issue is the weather & climate ~~ has the athlete trained in the same environment they are competing in? Other issues associated with the weather: questions to ask ~~ * is it hot * is it cold * is it raining How will the athletes body respond to this environment? Another factor is the recovery plan. Does the athlete have one? Not everyone practices post work out self care. WHAT IS SELF CARE? Self care can encompass quite a few things. I'll give you a few from my stand point as a specialized sports massage therapist. * cool down phase * post activity stretching ( static or PNF) * foam rolling POST ACTIVITY SPORTS MASSAGE ~~ this can be applied in a number of ways * flushing of the calf's, hamstrings, quads - usually 20 minutes in duration * ice massage on affected areas, usually 20-30 minute in duration * moist heat * ice baths ( no one really likes them but extremely beneficial) * biofreeze on sore muscles * myofascial release Incorporating one or a few of these items can significantly decrease the possibility of injury for an active athlete or performer. Sports massage is an essential part of training & recovery. While I speak with athletes at sporting events I inquire about their recovery plan ~~ what do they do after the event? I also ask if they have a sports massage therapist. If they don't I encourage them to find one. I also give them tips on what to look for in a good SMT. ( most athletes that I encounter are from another state) The athletes from in-state ~~ I hand them a business card!! It's also important for athletes to know that post event sports massage at the event has 1 purpose: elongate musculature & rid the body of cellular debris produced by the physical activity and to help decrease post event muscle soreness. If you are looking for deeper work, schedule that with your SMT 1-2 days after the athletic event. So, to recap: it's important for a Sports Massage Therapist to understand what is going on with an injured athlete, whether they are at the event or in the office recovering from injury. DON'T STEP OUT OF YOUR "SCOPE OF PRACTICE" Talk to them, reassure them it's okay to be scared, angry, frustrated etc.. but they also have a responsibility to be respectful.... lets face it ~~ sometimes emotions come out "sideways" and some actions may not be appropriate. You are there to help with their recovery, don't promise them anything ~~ but they need realistic goals. Some situations are easy and others are more complex. My experience has always been a good one because I continue to be honest & upfront with all of my clients & athletes. If you are looking for a GREAT sports massage therapist to explain the physiology of the body - that understands injury & the bio-mechanics of movement~~ give me a call, I'd love to hear from you!! Always! ~~ the glitter is still with me and I will be bringing it to the 2010 Paralympics!!! Lori-Ann Posted by Ultimate Sports Massage at 5:47 PM [IMG] [IMG] Labels: Injury Sports Massage, Psychology of injured athletes, Recovery Massage 0 comments: Post a Comment IFrame: comment-editor Newer Post Older Post Home Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) ETHICS Workshop I will be conducting an ETHICS work shop on April 26th, 2010. Located at West Shore Wellness, 2077 West Shore Road. Warwick RI 02889 6-10 PM Cost $60.00 Ethics: Part 1 Professionalism, Confidentiality & Boundaries Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this workshop. Mail payments to the posted address. Deadline for payment is April 23rd, 2010 [IMG] Massage Menu Pay Pal massage sessions [____________________________________] [ PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online! ] [IMG] Gift Certificates Available Gift Certificates can be purchased through Pay Pal, in person or contacting me either by phone or e-mail. [IMG] CANCELLATION POLICY 24 Hour notice must be given prior to session; $25.00 fee will be billed to next visit if cancellation is less than 24 hours [IMG] Contact Me lmtlori-ann@cox.net - Lori-Ann c_dern@hotmail.com - Christen dachasimt@comcast.net - Dave valcourt76@yahoo.com - Trish jmlobo81@yahoo.com - Johnny smurray@lincolntech.com - Steve [IMG] 2009 Marine Corps Marathon 2009 Marine Corps Marathon My MARINE, Sgt Edward J Heilborn [IMG] Ultimate Sports Massage Team Ultimate Sports Massage Team Dave, Lori-Ann & Christen [IMG] Sports Massage Team in Action! Sports Massage Team in Action! Amica IRONMAN 70.3 Providence, RI [IMG] 2010 RI State Track & Field Championships 2010 RI State Track & Field Championships [IMG] HIRE THE TEAM * The USMT is a Professional Sports Massage Team * Organizations & Athletic Teams can hire the entire USMT or selected MT's for en event * Daily Event Rate is: $125.00 per MT * Contact us for additional packages & information for your needs [IMG] USMT MEMBERS * Lori-Ann Gallant-Heilborn * Christen Dern * Dave Silvia * Trish Valcourt * Johnny Lobo * Steve Murray * Kristen Paradise ~ Intern * Catherine Shaw ~ Intern [IMG] Team Member #1 Team Member #1 Christen Dern 1-774-451-8175 [IMG] Team Member #2 Team Member #2 David Silvia 1-508-677-7874 [IMG] Team Member #3 Team Member #3 Trish Valcourt 401-477-3102 [IMG] Team Member #12 Team Member #12 Lori-Ann [IMG] Followers [IMG] Blog Archive * PR 2010 (14) * PR March (9) * Final Post 4 the 2010 Paralympics * A Day In The Office at the Paralympics 2010 * Photo's * Opening Ceremonies Photo's * March 17th, 2010 Fourth Post * March 11, 2010 Third Post * March 10th, 2010, Second Post * March 8th, 2010 First Post * Heading to the Games! * PR February (3) * 2010 Paralympic Games * New Sports Massage Office Location * Sports Massage Field * PR January (2) * SPOT LIGHT ON USMT MEMBER * Ultimate Sports Massage NEWS... * Dt 2009 (12) * PR December (1) * Seasons Greetings! * Dt November (2) * 2009 Marine Corps Marathon ~~ Team Semper Fi! * Working With Injured Athletes * PR October (1) * Lets Talk About Being An ATHLETE! * PR August (1) * Sports Massage & Working w/ High School Athletes * PR July (4) * The Importance of Regular Sports Massage * Post Amica IRONMAN 70.3 Weekend * Providence RI Amica Ironman 70.3 * IRONMAN WEEKEND * PR June (3) * Sports Massage by Professionals! * TEAM EVENTS * The Teams 1st Blog Post! [IMG] About Me My Photo Ultimate Sports Massage My name is Lori-Ann, I am a mother of 3 grown children and 1 grandchild. I have been married to the "Gunny" for 25 years -- life is good! I have always been interested in sports and the Olympics ( the greatest show on earth) When I entered massage school, I was completely focused on becoming a sports massage therapist. I have achieved that goal and what an incredible adventure it has been and its not over by a long shot. After returning from my first experience with the Olympics (2004,Athens Greece) I focused on getting myself into the USOC process and getting aligned with Olympic-Elite athletes. I also set in motion a second goal, creating my own sports massage team. A Team that is recognized as a professional organization. I have a very dedicated group of sports massage therapists that are part of the USMT and we live in RI,MA &CT, the New England Area. It is very exciting to travel with and work along side these awesome team members. There is a core group for the "Away Team". As of 2008 I have participated in the 2004 & 2008 Olympic Games as a sports massage therapist and I am currently working on being selected for the 2010 Winter Olympics. View my complete profile [IMG] Active Health Massage Therapy & Fitness Active Health Massage Therapy located @ 18 Cohannet Street, Taunton MA 02780 Dave Silvia & Christen Dern provide massage therapy at this location, you can check out their website: www.activehealthmtf.com ~~ [IMG]