We know that not everyone has the physical and mental talents needed to become a professional athlete. So what's the next best thing? Why, sports jobs that constantly bring you into contact with professional athletes, of course. And one of the most necessary of sports jobs is being a massage therapist for professional athletes.
Why become a massage therapist?
Though it does not carry the same prestige that a professional athlete may enjoy, being a sports massage therapist is still an important job that no sports team can do without. No serious professional athlete can survive the rigors of regular sports competition if he lacks the services of a good sports massage therapist.
Why is sports massage needed by athletes?
A sports massage therapist can aid athletes who are going through overcompensation and adaptation. Simply put, overcompensation is when the athlete has recently undergone stress overload (a usual occurrence in regular training and sports competition proper) so he overcompensates so that he will be prepared for the same or higher level of stress in the future. Adaptation is when the athlete is specially trained in coping with a certain type of stress. For example, a sprinter is used to running in short bursts over short distances so he needs to adapt to that.
A sports massage therapist will manipulate soft tissue (such as the hamstrings of a sprinter) prior to and after the exercise so that the athlete can experience less muscle tension and pain. Another benefit is that waste products can be eliminated from the body of the athlete, especially via the lymphatic system because of massage. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is lessened through massage as well. In the end, treatment via sports massage allows the athlete to gain better flexibility and posture.
Where can sports massage therapists be employed?
Since sports massage is needed by both recreational and professional athletes, sports jobs like that of sports massage therapists are offered in both recreational and professional sports venues. You can find work in local gyms and community sports centers if you target recreational athletes for your service. If you favor working with professional athletes, you might want to apply with teams affiliated with professional sports organizations. If you get really, really lucky (or just have good networking skills) you might be able to find work with a particular professional sports athlete as part of his personal care team.
What other services does a massage therapist provide?
Aside from massage, a massage therapist might also help the professional athlete with the treatment and management of sports injuries, exercise rehabilitation and therapy, and helping plan the sports nutrition program of the professional athlete.
The advances in the 20th century as far as sports medicine is concerned have helped foster demand for sports massage therapists as one of the more valued sports jobs. Of course, you may need to train for this position before you can be considered by a professional sports organization, but it promises to be a great type of job (if you enjoy working with athletes.)
An online portal to Sports Jobs [http://www.jobs4sports.com]. Check out this website to find out more about resume posting, job and internship postings and a directory of all major league teams. [http://www.jobs4sports.com]
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SPORTS MASSAGE FOR ATHLETES:TARGET V2 - DVD Movie
What is Therapeutic Sports Massage? 
MassageNerd.com Presents 100+ STAAR Techniques (Sports Massage) DVD
This comprehensive DVD includes more than two hours of footage detailing 13 sessions that will give you the tools to work with runners, cyclists, swimmers, tennis players and other athletes. Learn about the physiological principles that govern sports massage and the differences between each sport. The 13 sessions include a pre-event massage for runners, an inter-event massage for tennis players, and a post-event session for cyclists. The other sessions are detailed sequences for the following injuries: plantar fascitis, shin splints, ITB syndrome, hamstring strain, neck pain, back pain, ankle sprains, patellar tendonitis, tennis elbow and the rotator cuff. Each session is a complete treatment protocol that will help to keep your athlete in top shape, recover from injuries, and improve their performance. This DVD also includes information on stretches, sport psychology, diet, and how to set up a massage station at a sporting event. Real Bodywork s great graphics and clear filming make this DVD an outstanding educational resource for those who want to work with athletes. Comes with a 14 page booklet that mirrors the techniques shown in the video. DETAILED CONTENTS: FUNDAMENTALS 12:31 Introduction, Event massage, Basic strokes PRE-EVENT 12:12 Running demo POST EVENT 13:46 Cycling demo, Cramping INTER-EVENT 6:58 Tennis demo PSYCHOLOGY & DIET 3:36 INJURIES 3:45 RUNNING INJURIES 25:25 Plantar fascitis, Shin Splints, ITB syndrome, Hamstring strain CYCLING INJURIES 16:01 Neck pain, Patellar tendonitis COURT INJURIES 18:58 Ankle Sprain, Back Pain, Tennis Elbow SWIMMING INJURIES 9:18 Rotator Cuff