Bodywork for Hockey and Figure Skating

Both hockey and figure skating are very tough on the body and necessitate regular massage in order to help prevent sport-related injuries, promote flexibility, and increase one's range of motion. Of course, repetition is crucial for figure skaters to be able to master their moves. Yet, this repetition can lead to over-development of certain muscle groups and increased risk of injury. Proper stretching, exercising and massage are all essential for a figure skater to be at the top of their performance. 

Similarly, hockey players tend to develop injuries that are a result of shortened muscles in the core area, specifically injuries to the groin, low back, and abdominal muscles. Of equal importance in skating for hockey players are the hip flexors and extendors, as the primary motions in skating are hip flexion (bringing the knee towards the chest) and hip extension (extending the leg behind
you) as well as external rotation through the low back and core. The iliopsoas and quadriceps muscles perform hip flexion and rotation, the gluteus maximus and hamstrings perform hip extension, and your abdominal muscles both stabilize and create the rotary movements. If your hip flexors or hip extensors are tight, you won’t get full extension
(or leg lift), which will then affect your skating stride, length and power. Massage will help to loosen these muscles in order to boost your hockey prowess.