| The needs of male and female athletes are very | | | | speed up the process. |
| different, and these differences are apparent in all | | | | Even worse, weakened bones are susceptible to |
| phases of athletic medical care -- from diagnosis, | | | | fractures and injuries. Coupled with inadequate |
| to treatment, to massage or physical therapy | | | | nutrition from calorie-restrictive diets, female |
| efforts. | | | | athletes might wind up injured and unable to train |
| An ailment exclusive to female athletes is the | | | | or compete. The more headstrong among these |
| female athlete triad, a triumvirate of disorders | | | | athletes continue to train despite multiple injuries |
| that have a domino effect on one's overall health. | | | | and amenorrhea, setting themselves up for long |
| The three components of this affliction are | | | | bouts of poor health. Medical intervention is critical |
| disordered eating, amenorrhea (or loss of | | | | for these types of athletes. |
| menstrual periods for three consecutive months), | | | | Massage therapy can work in several ways to |
| and osteoporosis (or a thinning of bone tissue and | | | | help individuals suffering from the female athlete |
| loss of bone density). Affected athletes are best | | | | triad get well. Some types of massage therapy |
| helped when each component of the triad is | | | | are instrumental in helping athletes recover from |
| addressed and treated separately - and massage | | | | injuries, including injuries sustained as a result of |
| and sports rehabilitation therapy are helpful | | | | low body weight and over-exercising. Massage |
| treatment options for this condition. | | | | and sports rehabilitation therapy performed upon |
| Athletes of both genders must focus on | | | | the recommendation of a sports physician can be |
| developing many of the same attributes in their | | | | helpful to recovery from physical symptoms of |
| bodies: strength, balance, endurance, precision. | | | | the female athlete triad. |
| However, women are more likely than men to | | | | It can also help female athletes relax. Lowering |
| participate in sports and athletic endeavors that | | | | levels of physical and mental stress can assist |
| focus on body weight, size, and appearance. | | | | female athlete triad patients in feeling better |
| Gymnastics, figure-skating, ballet, and | | | | overall. Appetite recovery and sleep restoration |
| cheer-leading/color guard are some examples of | | | | can help these athletes to begin menstruating |
| these image-focused sports. In ballet, for | | | | regularly again, and will assist in faster recovery |
| example, the pre-pubescent figure is regarded as | | | | from injuries. Some athletes will feel less of a |
| ideal, and bodily markers of adult female estrogen | | | | compulsion to exercise to the point of exhaustion |
| levels, such as visible breasts and hips, are taboo | | | | once their cortisol (stress hormone) levels are |
| at many dance schools. | | | | lowered. |
| Many adolescent girls and women become | | | | Finally, massage therapy can help female athletes |
| image-obsessed, focusing on cutting their caloric | | | | feel better about themselves. They might |
| intakes as much as possible, while continuing to | | | | become more comfortable with their bodies, and |
| train at the same vigorous, competitive levels. | | | | learn to appreciate their strengths and athletic |
| Once a person begins a calorie-restricted diet, it | | | | skills. Massage also releases endorphins, or |
| can be difficult to stop - many dieters report | | | | feel-good hormones, that can replace the euphoria |
| starvation-induced euphoria and delight at their | | | | often caused by starving. Whole-body relaxation |
| shrinking bodies. The starvation method of weight | | | | can also contribute to an improved sense of self - |
| loss is detrimental to training athletes, who | | | | when the athlete feels her life is under control, |
| typically have lower-than-normal body fat levels | | | | she might no longer feel a drive to focus on |
| to begin with. A girl or woman needs at least 18 | | | | controlling her weight and appearance. |
| percent body fat to menstruate, and once body | | | | As the athlete recovers, she often institutes a |
| fat drops below this level, menstruation can cease. | | | | better diet, at the recommendation of a trained |
| In girls who have not yet begun their periods, the | | | | nutritionist. This improved diet provides enough |
| onset of menstrual bleeding (menarche) can be | | | | nourishment for her athletic endeavors. Improved |
| delayed for years. | | | | nutrition also helps her to recover faster from |
| The cessation of menstruation is problematic | | | | injuries sustained from amenorrhea and |
| because it upsets the female body's natural | | | | over-training. As her period returns, so, too, will |
| estrogen levels. As estrogen levels drop, bone | | | | her bone density, and finally, her strength and |
| density loss and bone weakening can occur. | | | | stamina. |
| Estrogen in women has a protective effect on | | | | Recovering from the female athlete triad can be |
| the skeletal system, enabling bone development | | | | difficult. However, with the aid of a professional |
| during adolescence, and halting bone loss | | | | team, including a sports physician, nutritionist, and |
| throughout early- and mid-adulthood. Adolescent | | | | massage or sports rehabilitation therapist, |
| amenorrhea can prevent a female athlete from | | | | affected athletes do not have to suffer alone. |
| building peak bone mass; adult amenorrhea can | | | | |