Mediums
Mediums can be categorized into three components; talcum, oil and cream. In addition, they can be seen as lubricants that enables the therapist’s hands to move freely and smoothly over the client’s skin. The three most common mediums are the three stated above.
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Talcum
Talcum comes in powder form and is predominantly used in areas which require additional grip where compression and friction is being used. However, there are multiple ergo-lytic effects associated with the use of talcum powder. It can’t, for instance, be used on sweaty or oily skin and it can cause irritation both to the practitioner’s and the client’s nose and eyes. In addition, the use of talcum certainly has its place, but it is a small place in regards to the other mediums that could be uses within sports massage. Talcum powder is sometimes used as a massage medium, although oil tends to be preferred. Its is advisable, therefore, to have a small container of talcum with you for occasions when a client prefers this to massage oil. This may be the case in some competitions, such as aerobics, where the competitors are not allowed to appear with any type of oil on their skin" (Paine, 2015).
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Oil
Oil is the second medium utilised in sports massage. Moreover, this natural oil is most commonly used in two types; Grapeseed and Sweet Almond. In addition, this type of medium provides a slide and glide motion to occur across the client’s body/muscle area, allowing for a deeper massage to occur. Furthermore, it is not particularly sticky so can be used on any area of the body. However, oil mediums are not typically well suited for clients with substantial body hair as the therapist’s fingers could get knotted in the hair and potentially harm the client. As well as allowing ease of movement and deeper massage, oil nourishes and softens the skin (Cressy, 1993).
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Cream
This is the third medium that is utilised in sports massage. In addition, this type of medium is best suited for clients with a considerable amount of body hair thus, resulting in less pressure being put on the client's body and targeted area of massage. However, creams are absorbed by the body tissue very quickly therefore, application of this medium needs to be performed often. Due to the frequent applying of this medium, this could take up a substantial amount of time during the massage session as well as cost the therapist time money. "As facial massage should be performed for no less than 20 minutes, one of the most important properties of the cream is that it is not absorbed into the skin too quickly, requiring the therapist to reapply before the end of the massage. Dry/mature skin would benefit from a rich cream to nourish the skin but of a light consistency to prevent dragging the tissues of potential oils" (Cressy, 1993).
