Testimonial – Dr Sarah Taylor, Sports Massage Diploma student

Why am I doing it?

I am a doctor, currently training to become a General Practitioner, with a deep interest in sport and fitness.  I aim to complete an MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine to enable me to specialise in this area.  As a long distance runner I have experienced the benefits of sports massage first hand and this has generated a keenness to understand and become proficient in the techniques myself.  As I wish to pursue a career specialising in the field of sports medicine I felt that a qualification in sports massage would both broaden my knowledge in this area and also provide me with the skills to provide massage to both sporting and patient populations.

Has it been worthwhile?

Definitely!…The course attracts various people working within the fitness and health professions, all of whom have been interesting and fun to study with.  I have gained a lot of knowledge and this course has fuelled my interest to learn more about techniques that I had never heard of previously. I feel sports massage will play an ever-increasing complementary role in the treatment of musculoskeletal and other medical disorders by health care professionals as it becomes further researched and more evidence based (see Evidence Based Therapeutic Massage by Elizabeth Holey & Eileen Cook).

Why this course?

I decided to do the Diploma in Sport & Remedial Massage, and the curriculum offered by Pulse Training Solutions, as part of the London School of Sports Massage and thus accredited by the Sports Massage Association (SMA), is ideal in order for me to achieve my goal.

What is Sports Massage?

Sports and remedial massage therapy uses a variety of classic massage strokes together with specific deep tissue and stretching techniques, working on the body’s soft tissues, muscles, tendons and fascia.

Why is it beneficial?

In a nutshell sports massage is useful as part of an overall sporting regime in order to reduce the risk of injury, improve flexibility, encourage relaxation, and is used in the rehabilitation of injuries. 

The groups of people who can benefit from the techniques employed in sports massage, however, are extensive:

• Anyone who works out casually through to the elite athlete
• Anyone with a soft tissue injury eg strains, sprains, post-surgery
• Workers suffering from stress, tension eg neck, back, shoulder aches and pains, migraine, or who have occupationally related injuries eg RSI
• Anyone with chronic postural problems
• Anyone feeling sore, tired or stiff
• In a complementary role, massage also has much to offer patients suffering from a very wide variety of medical complaints, such as chronic respiratory conditions, neuralgia, osteo- or rheumatoid arthritis, gastrointestinal conditions (eg IBS), severe disability and terminal disease (eg MS).

What does it entail?

The course programme is in depth covering functional anatomy and physiology in relation to massage, practically taught general massage and specialised soft tissue techniques such as MET and STR, assessment of soft tissue injury and joint conditions, injury rehabilitation, posture and core stability, sports nutrition and psychology, as well as history taking, communication skills and setting up practice.  There are 4 extended essays to complete, and practical assessments in general massage, MET and STR.  The exam consists of a theory paper and a final practical assessment.  The course is run over a series of weekends, which makes it more amenable to fitting around work commitments.

Photo: Treating a player with a quadriceps muscle contusion at Newton Abbot Rugby Club