Harmony of body and mind

Since 2019, Peter Vermeren has been an integral part of the AG Insurance - Soudal Quick-Step team as a specialized soigneur, focusing on various massage techniques, including care massage, relaxation massage, and sports massage. In this enlightening article, he shares his expertise and emphasizes the crucial importance of massage for the mental well-being of athletes and everyone striving for a balanced lifestyle.

What inspired me to become a soigneur and offer massages is the deep-rooted presence of cycling in our family. My eldest daughter was already involved as a sports therapist in women's cycling, and I often accompanied her to races. My interest grew further when I took the cycling therapist course at Syntra, where we learned both sports care and massage techniques. This is how I entered the field. Subsequently, I pursued numerous courses in massage techniques, including care massage.

Since 2019, I have been active as a sports therapist, specializing in offering various types of massages. A sports massage increases blood circulation and warms the muscles, enhancing muscle flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries, and improving performance. On the other hand, a relaxation massage provides a soothing sensation, reduces stress, and enhances sleep.

A relaxation massage is generally characterized by its gentleness and less intense approach compared to a sports massage. It focuses on overall relaxation and well-being. In contrast, care massage was initially developed for cancer patients but soon proved beneficial for other chronic illnesses and stress-related conditions. Unlike other massages that target muscles, care massage works on the nervous system (parasympathetic) with gentle, slow techniques for profound relaxation of the body and mind.

What distinguishes a sports massage from other forms of massage is its specific focus on improving sports performance and preventing injuries. The primary goal of each massage form I offer is the recovery and relaxation of muscles, as well as the promotion of mental health.

In specific situations, a sports massage can be effective after training or competitions, while care massage can play a crucial role in the mental health of athletes, especially after accidents, performance stress, or depression.

To meet the individual needs of my clients, I discuss any issues beforehand, allowing for a personalized and unique massage experience.

Regarding the future of massage in sports care, I believe that sports massage will remain the primary form for maintaining the body. However, I am convinced that a healthy body is closely linked to a healthy mind. Therefore, in my sports massage, I combine techniques from care massage, creating a unique massage approach that addresses both body and mind. I view our cycling team as a pioneer in the realm of mental health within the sports world. A sports therapist guiding athletes in this aspect, in my opinion, adds significant value, and currently, I am aware of almost no teams focusing on this.

In my continuous pursuit of improvement, during the off-season, I undertake additional courses in massage, incorporating new techniques into my existing massages. This ongoing curiosity allows me to stay abreast of emerging trends and developments in the massage world.