The NCASMT was established in 1986 under the leadership of Cary Bland, Elliot Greene, Arch Harrison and Curt Millar as a non-profit organization. The NCASMT is the only organization in the area to facilitate the integration of massage practitioners in the training programs of local athletes. Team members live in Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, southern Pennsylvania and southern Delaware.

The team has worked at events such as The Marine Corps Marathon, The Oxford Triathlon, The National Capital Open Bicycle Race, The Chesapeake Bay Swim Race, The Mobil Invitational Track and Field Meet, The Multiple Sclerosis 150K Bike Ride, The Reston Triathlon, The Army 10 Miler, The Tyson's 10K Run for the Vienna Women's Shelter, The National Wheelchair Games, The American Cancer Relay, The Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and The National Arm Wrestling Championships. Some of our members have been on the Sports Massage Teams for the Summer and Winter Olympics and the Paralympics.

We also work with athletic clubs such as The Montgomery County Road Runners, The Reston Running Club and The Happy Trails Running Club. The NCASMT is unique in that we donate 10% of our profits from an event back to the non-profit group hosting the event (all arrangements for donations must be made prior to the event). A letter of thanks from The National Multiple Sclerosis Society illustrates our commitment to this.

WHAT IS SPORTS MASSAGE?

Sports massage is a unique branch of bodywork in that there are very specific strokes that are used on the athletes for various reasons and at differing times. Sports Massage is also broken into various categories, protocols or models.

The two main models are Performance Model and Medical Model. The Performance Model of sports massage is also considered event massage as it is performed at a sporting event or training session. It is done with the understanding that an athlete is in good physical condition and is without injuries.

Within Event Massage there are three categories: Pre-event, Interim-event and Post-event. The goals of Pre-event massage are to stimulate the nervous system in order to facilitate an optimal muscle contraction as well as supply the muscle with fresh oxygenated blood and optimize range of motion for the body segment that will undergo the physical activity.

Interim-event massage is a combination of both Pre- and Post-event massage.

In Post-event massage, the main goals are to soothe and sedate the neuromuscular system in order to facilitate recovery for the athlete.

The second model is the Medical Model of Massage. It is divided into two categories: Maintenance and Rehabilitation.

In Maintenance orientated massage we focus on helping an athlete stay injury free during their training season.

In Rehabilitation, the focus is on getting an athlete as symptom-free as possible after a medically diagnosed condition. In most cases the athlete will have seen a physician and will have worked with a physical therapist and now is looking to use massage as a complimentary aspect to their recovery.

Some Sports Massage Therapists are also trained in various types of stretching and will encourage the athlete to make flexibility a priority. They may teach the athlete to perform the stretches or actually stretch the athlete during the massage session.

If you are an athlete and you are looking for a Massage Therapist who is trained in Sports Massage you have come to the right place.

First, be assured that all therapists Associated with the NCASMT are licensed and insured in the State in which they work and are of the highest moral character.

On the sides of the web page you will see the names of our team members listed by state. Click on each Therapist's "MORE" link to read their biographical and contact information.

All NCASMT members work on their own accord. Questions concerning their business practices, as well as their scheduling, should be done directly with the therapist.

NCASMT members are available to assist at your event, whether it is: running, swimming, biking, walking, a triathlon, track and field event or any other sporting event.

If you are a Race Promoter or an Event Coordinator and would like to have Sports Massage performed at your event, please contact Cliff Dewitt, CMT at cdewitt@cox.net or by phone - 703-938-1408 (office) / 703-867-1418 (cell).

If you are interested in learning more about Sports Massage please go to our school links page under continuing education and click on the school nearest you.