Sports massage

Abstract

The bona fide sport masseur is now an indispensible part of the Dutch sporting world, where he can perform a great deal of useful work in combination with the disciplines of sports medicine. The work of the sport masseur lies mainly in the field of prevention and is thus of incalculable value for public health. His curative efforts limit themselves mainly to the relief of muscular stiffness and pain which results from intensive use of the muscles. To this end he uses the massage techniques which he learned during his training. The author hopes that this article will make a contribution to a better understanding of sport massage and those who practice it, and of the problems surrounding sport massage in relation to the general subject of health care in Dutch sport.