Athlete Who Doesn't Want to Receive Massage

[enroute]

I've been the team massage therapist for the top women's soccer "football" club in San Diego County for the past three seasons and had a discussion last week with one of the club's top players who I know would really benefit from massage, but unfortunately isn't at this time open at all to the possibility of receiving one.

During the first training session I worked at this season while most of the players were deciding which order they would get to receive their massages, I overheard this particular player comment about what a finely tuned machine her body was and how she never needs massage. However, last week the truth came out that she if fact does have a lot of tension especially in the mid-thoracic region along the erector spinae and also in both rhomboids and upper trapezius.

She wanted to know what suggestions I might have for her other than of course actually receiving a massage. She told me that she was extremely sensitive to touch and just didn't think she could be be comfortable receiving a massage. In my experience working with athletes over the past 10 years, this was a first for me.

The only suggestions that I could think of for her was to use something like a theracane (I think that is what that tool is called) or some other massage tool that she can use on herself (which reminds me that I need to put some in my massage bag right now for this evening's training session.) Yoga would of course be great too for spinal flexibility, but I'm wondering if any others might have some suggestions I could pass along to her. (I'll check back here again in two hours and then I won't be back online again until later tonight after the training session.)

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[chee]

My suggestions.
Assisted stretching using Muscle energy techniques
Myofascial release
Compression techniques through clothing.

Receiving these may not be perceived as massage if it is the skin contact that she finds disturbing

 

[bigrobdeezey]

So she can "trigger point" her own back - 2 tennis balls dropped in an old sock, then tie off the sock next to the balls ---- lean against them - the gap between the balls fits beautifully over the spinous processes....... lay on the floor and "roll" the back over the sock......

All sorts of stretching exercises, tai chi, strain/counterstrain arm work, static "exercises" like the ones in Egoscue's bad back exercise book - basically sitting or laying in a given position to release musuclature - varies with the muscles needing work......


fwiw
J

 

[ion]

andre agassi does not receive massage. :shock: it's true....

i'd suggest hydrotherapy.

 

[kELLz !]

Thanks to everyone for all of your great suggestions.

So she can "trigger point" her own back - 2 tennis balls dropped in an old sock, then tie off the sock next to the balls ---- lean against them - the gap between the balls fits beautifully over the spinous processes....... lay on the floor and "roll" the back over the sock......

I especially like this "2 tennis balls dropped in an old sock" suggestion. Unfortunately after the demise of the WUSA (the only women's professional soccer league in the U.S.) three years ago, most of the players I currently work with are all on extremely tight budgets.

I probably won't be working with the team again until next spring since the season ends this weekend, but I need to get in touch with this player again soon because she walked away (hopefully by accident) with my Anderson "Stretching" book. (I guess in the future after I show the players the stretches I need to say "please return the book before you leave practice." )

"The Answer" massage tool was also a big hit at practice not only with the player who doesn't want massage, but with several of the players who I have been working with during the past three seasons.

http://www.theanswermassage.com/