How can sports massage benefit the rehabilitation of an achilles tendon rupture?
Sports massage techniques can be applied to the calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to improve muscle condition and flexibility and so take some of the tension off the tendon. Click here for more details. Massage techniques can also be applied directly to the tendon to aid the healing process. It is very important that massage to the tendon does not take place too early in order to avoid damaging the tendon whilst it is healing. Technique 1 – Effleurage Effleurage is the first technique used in most sports massages and involves light stroking movements starting at the base of the heel and working up towards the knee. Once at the knee the hands are taken down the outsides of the calf, without applying pressure. Pressure should gradually be increased on the upstroke only. Technique 2 – Transverse mobilization With the first finger of one hand and the thumb of the other hand, alternate to apply transverse pressure. This pulls the tendon across one way and then the other. Oil is not
