Sport Massage and the Texas Bar Open
posted on September 28, 2022
A few weeks ago, Union hosted the Texas Power Bar Open powerlifting meet on September 10th. I was one of the massage therapists asked to provide on-site sports massage therapy to the competitors. It has been an opportunity I’d been looking forward to since I began to study massage therapy, so I was elated to oblige and do my best for down-to-earth and hard-working athletes. I want to talk about my experiences leading up to and at the meet itself.
Several of my clients had begun to train for this meet months in advance. It was very inspiring to be a part of their growth and progress throughout this time. I was there for the tough training days and the really uplifting, powerful weeks, to be physically supportive with bodywork and a cheerleader in their corner. I truly enjoy helping people do and be their best so, I don’t do it for the thanks, but I did receive and appreciate them.
The day of the meet was active and exciting, everyone suited in their singlets and t-shirts. I rolled in with my table, chair, and Theragun in hand and made my way to the station under the easy-up, dodging lantern flies. The day began to blow by, competitor after competitor, one effortful lift after another. Soon, I too got to work; lifters that I knew and had not known yet came to me with twinges here and tightness there, combining my knowledge and intent to make magic happen for them. Their words, not mine. With the ten to fifteen minutes I lent my hands, I believe I was able to make a positive difference in those athlete’s performances.
My takeaways from the meet:
To end, a definition and sign-off quote:
Sports massage, or athletic massage, is the application of massage techniques that combine sound anatomic and physiologic knowledge, an understanding of strength training and conditioning, and specific massage skills to enhance athletic performance. This bodywork practice enables an athlete to attain their highest potential by accelerating the body’s natural restorative processes, enabling them to participate more often in rigorous physical training and conditioning.
“To be anyone else but the happiest version of yourself is a waste.”
MJA
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