Powder Talcum powder can be used for various massage techniques. It can also provide additional grip in areas where compressions or frictions are being used. However, the number of negatives associated with the use of talcum powder is high. It can’t, for instance, be used on sweaty skin and it can cause irritation both to the practitioner’s and the client’s nose and eyes. It certainly has its place, but it is a small place in the use of sports massage.

Gels and lotions Gels and lotions are relatively new on the market. Companies such as Biotone and Albmaleaf provide a wide range of products for practitioners to choose from. They combine both a cream and an oil, which means they tend to have the absorbency of a cream and the manoeuvrability of an oil, so

TABLE 1: THE PROPERTIES AND USES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF OIL (ADAPTED FROM WWW.THEBODYWORKER.COM) Type

Main properties Grape seed oil Sweet almond oil n No colour, or very pale green

n Contains vitamins, minerals and proteins (highest in linoleic acid) n Non-allergenic

n Very pale yellow colour

n Contains glycosides, minerals, vitamins and proteins n Penetrates skin n Anti-inflammatory n Light

Castor oil

n Light yellow colour n Very thick and sticky n Draws out toxins

Coconut oil

n Breaks up scar tissue n Light yellow colour

n Solid at room temperature, so needs to be warmed n Thick texture reduced by heat

Jojoba oil n Dark yellow colour n Contains proteins and minerals

n Good carrier oil and helps prevent oxidisation of essential oils n Keeps longer than most oils n Waxy solid at cold temperatures

n Can be used full strength or diluted with other oils n Antibacterial n Highly penetrating

Olive oil (extra virgin) n Green colour

n Contains proteins, minerals, vitamin E, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and carotene

n Warming to the skin n Relieves stiffness n Heavy so best diluted

Sesame oil n Dark yellow colour

n Contains vitamin E, lecithin and amino acids n Antiseptic and antifungal n Odourless form available

n Nourishing to the skin n Very stable storage (in terms of spoilage)

Wheat germ oil n Pale yellow colour n Contains vitamins including vitamin E, proteins and minerals

n Helps prevent oxidisation of essential oils n Allergenic to people with wheat allergies

8 sportEX dynamics 2010;26(Oct):7-10

n Effleurage n Petrissage

n All skin types

n NOT for red, irritated skin or rashes n Effleurage n Petrissage

n All skin types n Effleurage n Petrissage

Uses

n All skin types n Effleurage n Petrissage

n Most skin types n Dry, itching skin n Effleurage n Petrissage

n Dry, cracked feet n Scar tissue n Petrissage

n All skin types n Dry, cracked skin

n Effleurage n Petrissage (when warm)

n Skin disorders n Eczema n Acne

n Effleurage n Petrissage