Collect Questions

Hi Friends,
I love the site! I wonder if you can answer a few questions for me please?
I have tight shoulder ext rotators in one shoulder (shortened). I visited a sports exhibition and had a trial sports massage which was great (Unfortunately I have lost the guys tel number).
In addition to the usual massage he also did the following. Whilst lying face down (and later face up) the guy put pressure on my ext rotators whilst he got me to move my arm (I think I abducted it and rotated it), effectively pulling the muscle under his hand hold and stretching it.
I have had something called 'Deep Tissue Massage' before where the practicioner pushes v hard into the muscle, however this sports massage was different. I have also had 'another' sports massage but they did not use this technique.
What I would like to know is:-
1) What is this technique called?
2) Is this a typical sports massage technique or is it Active Release, MFRelease or something else?
3) Is it a basic sports massage technique or is it an advanced technque.
4) Is this the most suitable massage technique for stretching the ext rotators (in conjuncton with a conventional stretching programme), or would something like AR or MFR be more effective?
Sorry for all of the questions :) .
Many thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks in advance if you reply,
kind regards
Richard



Hi Richard
This appears to be the technique known as ‘soft tissue release’. It is described briefly in Mel Cash’s book ‘Sport and Remedial Massage Therapy’, and in more detail in the book ‘Soft Tissue Release’ by Mary Sanderson.
It is considered a ‘basic’ technique by the London School of Sports Massage (ie it is one which you have to demonstrate to pass the LSSM exam). I’m not sure if it is a compulsory component of other sports massage courses.
Regards
Alan



Yip
agree with Alan sounds like soft tissee release... you might get a stretch kinda mild burny feeling as it releases .... feels great!!!
Look for a therapist that does this kind of work...



I think we are all in agreement, it does sound like Soft Tissue Release. You many find some therapists call it Myofascial Release, but in this instance, I think the two are the basically the same.



Can I add one very belated postscript to the original query on whether this technique (STR) was considered a basic sports massage technique. I've been told that although it is a compulsory part of the LSSM course, it is not a compulsory part of the SMA's core curriculum, and is not included in the SPS (Viv Lancey) courses. Consequently some SMA members may not have been taught how to apply it.
Alan