Synopsis
Now effective high-energy massage techniques are easy for anyone to learn! In Performance Massage
Robert K. King, former National President of the American Massage
Therapy Association, explains massage therapy for athletes, dancers,
and other physically active people. Coaches and fitness professionals
will also find this book to be a valuable reference.
Even if the
reader has never given or received a massage, this book makes it easy
to do! The book is loaded with over 150 color photos that guide the
reader step-by-step through all of the skills needed to do Performance Massage with a training partner.
Performance Massage
is different from popular relaxation or medical massages in several
ways. First, it features a unique combination of muscle stretching and
high-impact massage techniques designed to enhance athletic and
artistic performance, reduce and prevent injuries, and complement an
active lifestyle.
Second, unlike the complicated sequences of traditional massage, Performance Massage
-stretch and unwind tight areas,
teaches specific, easy-to-learn skills that encourage a personalized,
""hands-on"" approach. Both hands feel for problem areas in the
recipient's muscles and use massage to:
-spread muscle fibers and nourish muscle fibers,
-decongest and oxygenate muscles, and
-reduce
tension and increase flexibility. Finally, because therapeutic massage
applies direct pressure--not surface strokes--to muscles, lubricants
are not needed. Readers will also appreciate that clothing stays on and
is considered an additional layer of skin to work through.
It's
easy for readers to insert these massage techniques into theirexercise
routines. The book also shows readers how to combine specific
techniques to develop a Warm-Up Massage, Cool-Down Massage, and
Maintenance Massage. The techniques require less than 30 minutes to
perform and are ideally suited to the fast-paced schedules of athletes,
dancers, and physically active people.
In addition to the basic
skills and techniques for therapeutic massage, the book features
detailed instructions for a whole body massage. It also includes
reference information on equipment, touching skills, receiving a
massage, and the benefits of ongoing Performance Massage.
Performance Massage can easily be incorporated into anyone's fitness regimen. It's a great way to enhance muscle fitness and improve performance!
"
Annotation
Deals with special needs of active people, when to use per- formance massage, preparation, techniques, resources, etc.
Library Journal
Many athletes interested in maximizing
their physical performance have discovered the benefits of therapeutic
massage. This book concentrates on the specialized field of massage
known as sport or performance massage. According to the author,
performance massage ``is the application of creative and intuitive
touching skills to enhance expressive movement and athletic
performance.'' It differs from traditional massage technique in that
the recipient remains clothed and no oils or skin lubricants are used.
This type of massage lengthens and decongests the muscles, tendons, and
other connective tissues of the body through muscle stretching. The
technique can be employed effectively before or after exercise.
Extensive use of photographs enable the reader to visualize better the
different movements. This is a useful and informative text for athletes
or performers. For large health and sports collections.-- Susan L.
Patton, Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville
Biography
As a former competitive weightlifter, boxer, and runner, Robert K. King
has personally experienced the reality of coping with muscle strains
and maintaining peak performance. For over 20 years he has worked as a
professional massage therapist with many world class athletes, dancers,
and entertainers such as Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Chuck Norris, and
Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Mr. King is co-founder and director of the
Chicago School of Massage Therapy, the largest state-approved
vocational massage therapy school in the Midwest. Since 1977 he has
held various offices in the American Massage Therapy Association
(AMTA), including Illinois Chapter President, National Director of
Education, and two terms as National President. He is also the
co-founder and former National Examiner for the AMTA National Sports
Massage Team.
As President of AMTA, King developed the AMTA
Strategic Plan for Professional Development, resulting in increased
public acceptance of massage therapy and a doubling in association
membership.
As the former National Director of Education for
AMTA, he spearheaded a national drive to help increase educational
standards and upgrade school curriculums and continuing education
programs.
Robert King is the author of several articles, essays and instructional manuals including Body Mobilization Techniques,
a training manual for massage therapists. He also conducts workshops,
lectures extensively at schools and hospitals, and appears frequently
in national media. He has also completed two instructional videos which
are used in massage therapy schools throughout the United States.
A
resident of Chicago, Illinois, Mr. King is married to Kathie Taylor
King, who is a frequent assistant in his national workshops.