athletes – Wellness Focus

Do I Have Shin Splints?

“Shin splints” is a general term referring to pain along the shinbone (tibia) — the large bone in the front of your lower leg. The pain can originate on the front of your lower leg (anterior shin splints) or the back (posterior shin splints). Shin splints are very common, mostly in runners of all ages, dancers and servicemen and women.

The medical term for the most common type of shin splints is medial tibial stress syndrome. Shin splints are most often caused by changes in intensity of exercise, changes in training routines, or generally overworked muscles, tendons and bone tissues related to motion (usually running). Lots of people experience them when they change their run to more uneven terrain (up hills for example). You can also get shin splints by doing repetitive activities that require a lot of starting and stopping (like dance or military exercise). Basically, shin splints occur as a result of overloading your shin bones. Different than a muscle cramp, shin splints persist, often over days or weeks if untreated. In general, shin splints are more painful than they are dangerous, but some active treatment is wise. Continue reading “Do I Have Shin Splints?”

You Just Ran a 10K, Now What?

If you listen to research, the answer is simple: get a massage. A 2013 study reported in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (ISSN1915-257X) polled athletes about their beliefs about and experiences with massage after running a race.

The study included 745 individuals who had completed a 10K running race in under an hour, and tested perceptions about post-race massage. The study showed that 91% of participants who had experienced massage before agreed that massage would benefit muscle recovery following the running race and more than 80% of those who had never had a massage believed it would be beneficial.

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SVMTG & FNS Partner for Member Wellness

It’s official. Silicon Valley Massage Therapy Group (SVMTG) will now offer customized sports massage inside the awesome Fitness Never Sleeps (FNS) Training Center. FNS provides a holistic approach to fitness and wellness in a supportive environment that fosters positive energy and a friendly spirit.

FNS is way more than your average fitness center, they offer unlimited access to group training, 1-on-1 personal training, nutritional coaching, top of the line equipment and focused and dedicated coaches. Their results are amazing and their members motivated and enthusiastic about continual improvement in their own health and wellness.
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Pre- and Post-event Sports Massage

The role of massage in supporting and enhancing athletic performance is growing. Is there a difference in pre- and post-event massage?

Sports massage is different than the therapeutic or relaxation massage you might be used to. Sports massage is usually performed on a client dressed in loose clothing and involves applying therapeutic massage and stretching to assist an athlete’s performance or speed recovery from an activity. The type of sports massage you receive is based on your goal and when you get your massage in relation to the event.

Pre-Event massage is usually 10-30 minutes long and generally happens the day of and prior to the event. The focus is on preparation for high-intensity activity not to correct dysfunction or reduce stress. Therapists will use compression, kneading, ROM & active stretching, vibration and tapotement–all performed at an “up-tempo” pace. Remember, the goal is get the athlete AMPED UP. Continue reading “Pre- and Post-event Sports Massage”

Read this if you work out more than 4 times a week

There’s a special tribe of gym goers who are full-on focused on a specific goal–maybe it’s weight loss, getting six pack abs, or some rehab from an injury–and they’re driving toward the goal by going to the gym, a lot. This tribe can be found in a gym just about EVERY day, in fact. They’re the hard-core gym members, and they are serious about their bodies.

While most people who go to the gym a lot will tell you about the rush they get from a great workout or that they can’t imagine NOT going to the gym, they’re probably NOT talking about soreness and pain they often feel from the stress of the workout, the run, or the CrossFit-Zumba–spinning marathon. The fact is, you’re getting bigger, more toned or faster because as you work those muscles, they are constantly stretching and tearing, and then regenerating building new tissue or stronger tissue. Micro-tears in muscles over a long term with no rest can result in pain and soreness, and, if left alone, can actually lead to a weakening of muscle tissue that may cause injury.

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Five Massage Therapy Snapshots: Is This You?

Massage therapy is one of the best investments you can make for your personal well-being. All kinds of people seek massage therapy for all kinds of different reasons. The end result is almost always pain relief and relaxation.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the client types who already benefit from regular massage.

Betty Back Pain. Back pain comes from joints, muscles, joints in the spine, bones, and nerves around the back. The pain could be in one area or could have a wider spread effect on an individual. A massage helps Betty feel and function better compared to her friends who don’t receive any massage treatment. Studies show it improves her range of motion and decreases discomfort, too. Continue reading “Five Massage Therapy Snapshots: Is This You?”