Racket sports Tennis/Raquetball/Handball: Arm stress especially forearm is common.  Elbow stress, Shoulder stress - deltoids, trapezius lower fibers.  Elbow and forearm stress are usually from improper posture or technique. Iliotibial bands are usually overused with the side-to-side movements.

Cricket: Shoulder alignment is important for throwing/bowling.  The pectoral muscles, latissimus dorsi and teres major are often affected.  Quadriceps and Hamstrings can become tight from quick starts running to the base-line or fielding. Squash : The demands of a squash game are so that the intensity and duration of a match are never the same.

The energy for a game will by and large be made aerobically (with oxygen), but some rallies will require supra-maximal bursts which are anaerobic and will cause a temporary oxygen debt. This eventually results in fatigue, down to the build up of lactic acid in the muscles.

Strength and power, are equally important on the squash court. The leg and shoulder muscles are involved in lots of concentric and eccentric contractions (acceleration and deceleration of movement).

The back and abdominal muscles must be sufficiently conditioned to create and control the dynamic rotatory movements involved in the game. Explosive power is essential for getting to shots and recovering playing position, which deprive your opponent of time and apply the necessary pressure needed to win. Speed around the court relies on developing the correct neuro-muscular patterns so that the feet are able to move quickly and effectively.

Potentially the least considered, yet most vital, elements are mobility and flexibility. As well as for prevention of injury and recovery after matches this element if developed sufficiently will improve efficiency of movement and overall performance on court.

The management, manipulation and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body are where the sports massage practitioner has an important role to play.

Total Contrast can help with all aspects of the above from treating sore tired muscles, enabling a player to recover and play with better balance and fluidity. To giving advice on correctional exercises to strengthen weak muscles to improve power. Also Biofeedback analysis to help target specific muscle imbalances, along with sports specific stretches using medicine ball training for the rotator cuff.

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-match: A quick Sports massage will be an adjunct to your warm-up, to increase your circulation and flexibility, and leave your muscles resilient and ready to go.

Post-match:   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 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 that 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 nets session or game 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 correctional exercises, to help with weak muscles and correction of faulty recruitment patterns in muscle groups. Using computerised Biofeedback to help identify muscle imbalances, and sports specific stretching exercises to improve flexibility.