News

On Sunday, October 16, a sports massage team from the Swedish Institute took part in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Bike Tour fundraiser. Working outdoors at the finish line at Chelsea Piers, a group of eighty students provided sports massage for more than 300 cyclists who had pedaled for 50 or 100 miles. The day provided third-semester students with an exciting opportunity to practice sports massage in the high pressure environment of a sporting event, where they learned how to deal with a large number of eager recipients, fatigued athletes, and difficult outdoor conditions.

Charles Pegg, L.M.T., faculty member and director of the sports massage team, supervised students that day. "Working two at a table, the students typically had 15 minutes or less for each athlete," Pegg said. "They had to address the athlete's needs as quickly and specifically as possible. For this group of athletes, our work focused mainly on exhausted leg muscles. Typically, as someone gets on the table, they first need to be warmed, as they are usually wet with sweat and cooling down quickly. Since their muscles are already irritated, we usually start with basic techniques like jostling and holding, rather than deep work, which could put the muscles into spasm. Depending on the athlete's condition, we might then be able to do some deeper massage and a bit of stretching."

Students have learned assessment techniques, as well as sports massage, in their curriculum, but at an event like this they learn a lot from the intensity of the situation. Pegg, a tri-athlete himself, can provide an authoritative perspective from both sides of the table. "When interns are faced with an athlete whose legs start cramping, it can be scary if it's the first time they've dealt with the situation. But it's a good experience for them, because we are there to offer guidance as they work, and then they know they can deal with something like spasms in the future."

The exceptionally windy weather that day added its own challenges. Athletes came in with an unexpected amount of shoulder and arm stiffness, because they had to struggle to keep bikes upright while they rode. Interns made great use of towels to cover participants for warmth, and had to prevent paper supplies from being blown away. Pegg, supervising care for both athletes and interns, reminded students that they, too, had to stay warm and take a break during their busy 3-hour shift. "When they are caught up in the moment, they often forget about themselves," Pegg added. "But if they don't take some time to rest and eat, they may suddenly feel exhausted, or set themselves up for injury; we teach them that self-care will keep them healthy in the long term."

For more information

The sports massage team is one of three off-site internships offered to Massage Therapy Students during their 16-month course of study. Off-site internships focus consecutively on sessions for relaxation, sports and medical needs. See our program description of Clinical Experience for a list of some of the off-site clinics that take place in our community. 

For information about the money raised, sponsors, participants and event photos of the MS Bike Tour of October 2005 visit the MS Society web site. 

For a story about athletes' appreciation of sports massage read Sports Illustrated online article on graduate Gary Bergman at the US Open. 

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