The Theory
When a muscle gets tired or injured its stops
working properly, it fails to contract and create
movement to the extent it should. So other muscles
compensate for it by working harder; often by
taking on too greater workload or by doing jobs
they weren't designed to do, therefore these
compensatory muscles get tired or injured too,
this cycle can continue. This is how an isolated
problem left without treatment can become widespread.
Sports Massage Therapy restores the health of
the muscle and associated soft tissues and prevents
further damage.
Muscle Spasm
When a joint takes on too much movement the deep
layers of soft tissue covering that joint are
stressed causing a strain or tear in the soft
tissue which creates a protective mechanism to
come into place known as a muscle spasm. Muscle
spasm is a muscle in the state of constant contraction,
it fails to relax. It is the job of the muscle
in spasm to protect the site of injury and prevent
further damage. Muscle spasm causes pain and
restriction of movement. However sometimes muscle
spasm remains even when the cause is removed.
In this case it is the aim of the Sports Massage
Therapist to relieve the spasm and restore full
range of movement to the joint. Muscle spasm
occurs when a joint has gone beyond its normal
range of movement for example; slipping, falling,
over-exertion during exercise, concussion to
limbs or mechanical dysfunction.
Symptoms of muscle damage
- When your horse 'just doesn't feel right'
- Pain, stiffness, soreness, spasm, tension
- Cold-backed
- Lack, loss of or plateau in fitness and
performance
- Lameness
- Early onset of fatigue in work
- Taking a longer time than normal to recover
from strenuous exercise
- Restricted range of movement at joints
- Shortness of stride
- Lack of suppleness and movement through
body
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining flexion
or bend
- Lack of power and acceleration
- Inability to bring hindquarters underneath
himself
- Feeling like all the energy you create
behind is being lost
- Inability to strike off or maintain correct
canter lead
The list continues and ranges from subtle to
extreme symptoms and changes in behaviour.
