Sprains
Sprains are also very common injuries in the martial arts. Most sprains occur in the ankles, elbows and toes. Many ankle sprains occur when running or kicking on uneven or overly soft flooring, such as old gymnastics mats, or mats that have gaps between them. Other times ankle sprains can occur because of improper weight distribution when kicking. To help avoid ankle sprains, make sure your training surface is in good condition, and make sure you are standing in a proper stance and well balanced before throwing a kick.

Most elbow sprains occur due to either hyperextension or due to a lock or other joint manipulation technique. To avoid these injuries, remember to always keep a slight bend in the joint when punching, and make sure to go at a slow enough pace for your partner to not injure you accidentally. If grappling, remember to tap out when you first feel pain, instead of trying to muscle out of a lock and risking injury.

Muscle strains especially to the groin and hamstrings are common

"Jamming" The Fingers and Toes
Most times this occurs due to throwing a kick or punch improperly and either having your opponent block your foot or hand directly on the toes and fingers, or hitting a bag or pad and jamming these yourself. If a kick calls for the ball, heel or instep of the foot, remember to fully flex the ankle in the proper direction to get the toes out of the line of fire. If punching or throwing some sort of open hand technique that requires the palm or knuckles, remember to either keep a tight fist with the fingers placed properly, or to completely open the palm and keep the fingers pressed tightly together. Executing a technique with proper form is absolutely essential to not only prevent injuries but also to perform the technique effectively.

Sports Massage
As a serious martial artist you need a form of massage specifically designed for athletes Adding sports massage to your workout routine can improve your performance. As the training and playing hours pile up, so do the aches and pains. These little aches and pains can turn into a serious injury. Regular massage will help alleviate pain.

After a strenuous workout or fight, sports massage will aid your recovery.

You can benefit from half an hour of work on a specific area that you feel needs attention or longer for more general and maintenance work.

Athletes around the world rely on massage as an important part of their training regimen. Sports Massage techniques, when used regularly, can increase the blood flow that is needed for recovery. Also, it will improve the range of motion and strength of injured muscles and accelerate their healing process. With a full recovery you will be able to increase your workouts and allow your body to adapt to a higher level of stress.

Sports Massage can:
· Enhance body awareness
· Identify problem areas before they develop into injuries
· Remove trigger points formed as a result of injury
· Relax and stretch muscles
· Improve range of motion
· Restore suppleness and elasticity
· Relieve pain and stress
· Free muscle adhesions and soften scar tissue caused by injury or overuse
· Improve circulation
· Flush out toxins that cause muscle stiffness and soreness
· Relax the body and mine
· Speed recovery and healing from exertion

Sports Massage techniques may differ as you have different needs at different times.

Pre-training/fight: A Sports Massage treatment will be an adjunct to your warm-up, to increase your circulation and flexibility, and leave your muscles resilient and ready to go.

Post-training/fight meet: A Sports Massage will increase your circulation to speed the removal of fatigue toxins, relieve your muscle spasms and prevent soreness.

Fine-tuning: a Sports massage that will search out the areas of biomechanical stress in your muscles and relieve them, before they become problems, enabling you to train harder and more consistently.

Injury Rehabilitation: A Sports massage will speed your healing, increase your range of motion and reduce scar tissue to allow the muscle to expand/contract normally.

There is no reason to carry soreness and stiffness from your last training session into the next. By taking measures to speed your recovery following exertion you can reach a higher level next workout. Sports Massage provides an ingredient for that complete recovery.  

Total Contrast can provide all of the above plus comprehensive advice on corrective exercise to rebalance and strengthen weak muscles. Using computerized Biofeedback to address muscle imbalances and specific stretching exercises to restore flexibility.