Most Common Hockey Injuries That Massage Therapy Can Treat

Ice hockey is a sport that requires a unique combination of power, stamina, and speed. When you combine these three attributes, injuries can often follow.

Not every hockey injury requires a player to go to the emergency room. In many situations hockey injuries can be treated by massage therapy and a good strengthening and stretching program. When you are dealing with sport specific injuries, it is important that you find a professional who understands the muscles used for that given sport, such as hockey. 

The benefits of receiving massage therapy far exceeds just treating injuries. It also aids in increasing flexibility to prevent injuries, relieves muscle aches and pains, promotes healing of muscle tissue, increases relaxation and aids better sleeping patterns, and improves blood circulation.

7 Common Hockey injuries

1.Back Muscle Pain

Muscle pain of the back is one of the most common types of hockey injuries and is treatable by a  massage therapist. Without proper treatment, back pain can cause further problems resulting in more injuries of ligaments, joints, and spinal discs.

2. Overuse Injuries

Repeated strains and abuse can cause serious injuries that can result in long term pain and damage, sometimes even worse than acute injuries. Examples of these injuries are the forearms, hips and legs.

3. Pinched Nerve & Sciatica

The lower back, hips and glutes are heavily depended upon when playing hockey, it is common for players to experience tightness along nerve pathways which can restrict the nerve and cause pain in places that aren’t necessarily the problem area. A Massage therapist, aware of which muscles are most commonly used in hockey, will be able to track down the problem area and remove any restrictions to the nerve.

4. Neck Pain

Common sources of neck pain involve joints in your upper neck, muscles within your neck, or nerves. It’s possible to suffer whiplash during a game of hockey, and massage is a great way to find relief.

5. Thigh Strain

Constant use of thigh muscles during hockey can cause serious pain that can lead to overuse injuries. Massage for thigh strain is a great way to start feeling better and remove adhesions that are restricting movement and flexibility.

6. Shoulder Pain

Many hockey players deal with shoulder injuries over the course of their career. Massage therapy can help maximize tissue function by breaking down scar tissue that causes restrictions in movement and flexibility.

7. ACL Injuries

A common hockey injury is ACL injury which may or may not need ACL reconstruction (surgery). Massage therapy treatment is a valuable addition to physiotherapy for ACL rehabilitation. Applied together, physiotherapy protocols and massage therapy focuses on regaining knee range of motion and muscle strength, enabling the athlete to return to their activities of daily life and return to sports.

While massage therapy can’t fix every issue that can arise from playing a contact sport like hockey, it is a great way to keep your muscles mobile and loose so you can give yourself the best opportunity to keep yourself injury free. 

When you find yourself with a musculoskeletal injury, reach out to us at Athletickneads.com to see if we can help you get back in the game.