What Is Sports Massage?

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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. 

Examples of techniques used in sports massage include:

• Swedish style massage

• Effleurage (stroking)

• Petrissage (kneading)

• Compression

• Friction

• Tapotement (rhythmic striking)

• Vibration

• Gliding

• Stretching

• Percussion

• Trigger points

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Deep Tissue Massage vs. Sports Massage

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, or for pain management during labor and delivery.

 

Sports Massage Benefits

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

• Increased joint range of motion (ROM)

• Increased flexibility

• Decreased muscle tension

• Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)

• Decreased muscle spasms

• Increased sense of well-being

• Decreased anxiety and improved mood

• Better sleep

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Purported benefits for which there is limited research evidence include:

• Increased blood flow

• Increased elimination of exercise waste products (lactic acid)

• Decreased chance of injury

• Decreased recovery time between workouts

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Side 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.