Sports Massage

Sports Massage

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Terence Vanderheiden, DPM, is a podiatrist in Massachusetts with a subspecialty in the area of podiatric sports medicine.

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Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT, diagnoses neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions, including sprains, strains, and post-operation fractures and tears.

Sports massage is the focused and systematic manipulation of the specific muscles used in a specific sport. It uses various techniques to decrease muscle pain and improve recovery, as well as improve overall range of motion and flexibility to support safe and effective movement.

A sports massage therapist can assist with training, rehabilitation, and pre- or post-performance goals. While often sought by elite and amateur athletes, sports massage can also be beneficial for anyone who regularly exercises.

This article explains what sports massage is for and the various styles of massage that may offer benefits. It also offers information about how to find a sports massage therapist near you.

Various movements and techniques are used to try to help an athlete's body achieve maximum performance and physical conditioning, with a decreased chance of injury or pain and a quicker recovery.

A sports massage session is specifically tailored to an individual's needs. Some elements of sports massage are used in other physical therapy settings and to treat conditions outside of sports, such as carpal tunnel syndrome .

Examples of techniques used in sports massage include:

Deep tissue massage relies on similar sports massage techniques, such as effleurage, but often is used as a firm-pressure massage of the whole body rather than a specific site. However, it may be more focused when used to treat neck or chronic lower back pain, 1 or for pain management during labor and delivery. 2

Many sports massage benefits have been reported on the basis of experience and observation alone. These include:

Purported benefits for which there is limited research evidence include:

Some studies have shown a modest benefit in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). 3 Others demonstrate a benefit in reducing lactic acid buildup in muscles when sports massage is used in combination with cold water immersion after exercise. 4

Additional research has focused on benefits associated with active and passive recovery, with some evidence that passive recovery may be the superior approach. 5

On balance, study findings on sports massage indicate that while it does not negatively affect performance, its benefits are not quite as clear.

More research is needed on the positive effects of sports massage.

For the most part, sports massage is safe with very few side effects.

Potential side effects of sports massage include tenderness or stiffness for one to two days after a therapy session.

It's also possible that you could have a skin reaction to the massage oils used.

You may feel some discomfort during or after a sports massage, but it should not cause significant pain. If you feel pain beyond what some call "the good kind of hurt," tell your therapist right away. 6

It is important that you book your sessions with a credentialed sports massage therapist. These practitioners are specially trained to work with people with various sports injuries and help prevent future injury related to your sport or activity of choice.

You can look for some in your area by checking the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)'s Find A Nationally Certified Practitioner database. You also can use the American Massage Therapy Association's (AMTA) Find a Massage Therapist database.

The AMTA recommends asking the following questions:

Sports massage is highly valued by many athletes, even though some of its purported benefits are not supported by research. If your goal is relief from sore and tense muscles after a workout, as well as general relaxation, it may be valuable for you.

Massage therapy is a type of massage with the specific goal to strengthen the mobility and function of muscles and joints. It is part of a physical therapy treatment plan performed by a trained therapist.
Yes. Examples include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic striking), vibration, stretching, and compression. Different techniques are used to focus on the muscles most relevant to a particular sport.
For many people, massage can improve overall and physical well-being. However, there are some risks, especially for people with certain conditions. 7
Swedish massage is a technique focused on long, smooth strokes. Deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping are performed with these strokes to knead and compress the muscles. 8
Smith CA, Levett KM, Collins CT, Dahlen HG, Ee CC, Suganuma M. Massage, reflexology and other manual methods for pain management in labour . Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2018 Mar 28;3(3):CD009290. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009290.pub3
Davis HL, Alabed S, Chico TJA. Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis . BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020 May 7;6(1):e000614. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000614.
Kennedy AB, Patil N, Trilk JL. 'Recover Quicker, Train Harder, and Increase Flexibility': Massage Therapy for Elite Paracyclists, a Mixed-Methods Study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med . 2018;4(1):e000319. Published 2018 Jan 26. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000319

By Terence Vanderheiden, DPM

Terence Vanderheiden, DPM, is a podiatrist in Massachusetts with a subspecialty in the area of podiatric sports medicine.

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Massage therapy is practiced in many distinct ways throughout the world. If you’ve had a massage before, you’ve most likely already experienced one or more techniques used in sports massage.
Here at Soothe, this is another featured massage we offer. We love offering sports massage for our Soothe clients because it includes two of our featured massages; Swedish massage and Deep Tissue massage . The sports massage can serve a handful of different purposes, from relaxing the entire body and improving mobility to pain relief caused by injuries. Talk to a massage therapist today about incorporating elements of the sports massage into your next session.
Sports massage is one of the most popular and frequently utilized massage types in the world. If you’re ready for your first massage, then sports massage can be a great place to start. The sports massage treatment combines a variety of different massages into a single session to relieve pain, ease tension, and promote healing. In some scenarios, a full body massage may be appropriate for this massage type.
Sports massages are very beneficial for athletes, bodybuilders, and anyone that lives an active lifestyle. For example, if you’re an athlete, sports massages are recommended when you’re going through training. Getting a regular massage can help you prevent injury and recover faster. Massage treatment is a long-term solution for muscular performance, injury rehabilitation, and prevention.
If you’re having pain in your neck or back, a sports massage may be a great way to begin reviving your body and mind. Since this massage is well known for relieving pain and improving injury, sports massage therapy can be relieving.
Massage therapists may use a variety of methods to give a sports massage, what methods they choose will depend on your unique situation. Below, you’ll find the most common sports massage techniques and learn how each technique helps to give you the end result you want.
Sports massage therapists utilize a variety of techniques in a session, depending on the demands and condition of the patient. Make sure you communicate with your therapist and let them know exactly how you feel. This will help them choose the best techniques for you.
The first thing to understand is that you can get one at any time, but they can be especially useful before or after you go through an active event with your body, such as a 5-mile run, sports game, MMA match, weight lifting, etc. While deep-tissue massage and sports massage techniques appear similar, the two have different focuses, so knowing which one can help you the most is important.
For example, if you were offered a sports massage vs. a deep tissue massage, the sports massage would probably take your physical activities into account and the therapist would likely try to tailor the massage treatment to fit both the time and kind of activities you’re doing whereas a deep-tissue massage would be more about pressure and your overall lifestyle.
Each massage therapist has their own preferred techniques for providing a massage. However, there are several standard procedures that you may expect during a sports massage. We’ll cover those now.
Firstly, the massage therapist will begin by lubricating your skin with massage oil or lotion to make it smoother and more pleasant. If you don’t want lotion, just let them know. Your practitioner will use various massage strokes and techniques depending on why you’re getting a sports massage.
These movements help your muscle tissues warm-up, this helps to release tension and also breaks up muscle “knots,” these are also known as adhesions.
Soothe always encourages excellent client-therapist communication in order to obtain the greatest massage treatment. Before the treatment, the therapist will most likely inquire about any injuries or other issues he or she should be aware of. Let the massage therapist know how you’re feeling. You should tell them exactly what is hurting, painful, or tense so they can adjust their technique accordingly. If you have allergies or are pregnant, make sure to let them know.
You should also tell the massage therapist your preference for pressure, which may be light, moderate, or firm. The therapist will likely ask a series of questions to ensure you have the best experience possible. That’s why communication is so important, Soothe wants to make sure to meet all of your expectations. If you let your massage therapist know exactly what you want, he or she can make sure they deliver on that promise.
Massage, which originated in Greece and Rome and has a long history (Cenacle Treatment Centre), is one of the world’s oldest healing techniques. Galen (AD 30-200), a renowned Roman physician, “recommended massage for gladiators both before and after training.” This is one of the first known instances of sports massage.
The modern history of Sports Massage can be traced back to the Paris Olympic Games in 1924 (Crist Chiropractic & Wellness, 2011). Finland’s Paavo Nurmi won five gold medals in the Olympic track event, receiving much credit for his victory from his regular personal massage therapist. Here in the United States, many people credit Jack Meagher to be the one that introduced sports massage to the country.
Massage practitioners are increasingly turning to sports massage for relief from various pains and strains (Benjamin & Tappan, 2004, p. 30).
The physiological and psychological benefits of massage therapy are enormous. Massage is used to treat a variety of ailments, including muscular imbalances, soft tissue damage, fluid buildup, high heart rate, blood pressure, restricted range of motion, pain, tiredness, anxiety, and injury prevention. It may also help with promoting blood flow and warming up muscles. Research studies have shown that subjects felt less fatigued and felt like they recovered faster after sports massage. Decreased anxiety, improved mood, better sleep, and enhanced feelings of well-being were also noted in the study.
This massage can also ease tension and anxiety, allowing the body to relax and recover from the strain of sports activity. It also aids in the removal of toxins and waste products during post-event periods by “calming the nervous system”. This massage also helps athletes get back into their workouts faster by reducing recovery time.
During high-intensity exercise, massage therapy is shown to relax the body and release and reduce tension in muscles. It can also help to relax the body by relaxing the mind.
A sports massage is excellent for relieving pain and strains, but it may also aid in the relief of everyday stress. It’s no secret that stress can harm your health. Many people are going to stress over work, relationships, children, parents, taxes, politics, inflation, and everything else. The more we stress, the more muscles become tense, which may be leading to some of the feelings you currently have.
The pressure utilized in sports massage therapy can assist to relax the muscles and relieve any strain that has built up. Some people have said that skin contact relaxes them and aids in the clearance of their thoughts. If you like firm pressure during a massage, consider booking a deep tissue session.
Another advantage we’d like to mention is sleeping. Sleep is extremely crucial to one’s health; it helps the body and mind rest. Getting adequate good quality sleep is beneficial to one’s overall well-being.
Since a sports massage can use Swedish massage techniques, it can help to relax your body. This relaxation can help promote better sleep, and when performed in the evening, it may also help you fall asleep faster.
If you’re interested in booking a sports massage, Soothe makes it easy to find a certified massage therapist in your area. Visit our booking page , and we’ll bring the massage to you! If you have questions about this massage, you can check out our content library. If you’d rather talk to one of our massage experts, we’d be glad to assist you. Click here to get started .
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What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a form of massage involving the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit a person engaged in regular physical activity. Soft tissue is connective tissue that has not hardened into bone and cartilage; it includes skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a form of connective tissue that lines and ensheathes the other soft tissues). Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury. Massage is recorded as one of the earliest forms of physical therapy and was used over 3000 years ago in China, India and Greece. Its popular use in the Western world is largely due to the work of Per Henrik Ling (1776 - 1839), who developed the form of massage now known as Swedish massage. Ling developed his own style of massage and exercise to help fencers and gymnasts, gaining international recognition in the process. Many of his ideas have formed the foundations of modern sports massage. Today, there are many forms of massage available to assist us in maintaining our health and wellbeing. Sports massage has been accepted in America, Canada and Australia for many years now, while in the UK, the practice only became known and more widely used in the 1990s.
What is Sports Therapy?
Sports Therapy entails a higher level of training that includes a wider set of skills and supporting knowledge. There is general agreement within the UK of some core areas which are essential to sports therapy although the emphasis will vary amongst training providers with some favouring soft tissue therapy and others leaning towards rehabilitation or emergency care. It is wideliy accepted that sports therapy includes: · Anatomy and physiology · Sports massage · Ethics and Professionalism · Biomechanics · Advanced Manual Therapy Skills · Injury assessment and treatment · Gait analysis · Rehabilitation from injury · First Aid and advanced trauma care · Taping for Sport · Other areas sometimes included are Electrotherapy, Strength & Conditioning, and/or Sports Nutrition. The general area a sports therapist will work in is to help individuals and teams progress from being able to perform normal daily physical functions to sporting and highly skilled activities. From the mid 1990's onwards, there was a collective effort to establish sports therapy as a 'regulated' profession with protected title through the Health Professions Council (HPC). 'Protected title' would mean that only those who had demonstrated achieving the required standards being allowed to practice under the chosen title; in this case Sports Therapy. The agreement by all those with
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