What is a Sports Massage?

As per correct definition, a massage is the rubbing & kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, especially to relieve tension & pain, sports massage involves stimulation & manipulation of soft tissues within the body, especially beneficial to sportspersons & athletes – though not specific to.  It focuses on working with soft tissues to resolve:- chronic pain, recurring injury, restricted range of motion and imbalances that cause suffering from recurring injuries which includes, tendons, muscles, ligaments & joints.  It can cause physical & psychological benefits.  The main aims are to alleviate muscle tension, undo any knots which have formed & relieve mental stress.

It will improve the human body by bringing it to its optimal health, flexibility & energy & drains fatigue from overworked muscles.

Pre-event Sports Massage

This prepares the athletes body & mind for some high-intensity activity by the rapid production of adrenaline.  The aim is not to relieve stress or calm the body. 

The main procedure would use effleurage (Long smooth strokes along the length of muscles) Petrissage (Kneading & warming the body) Tapotement (Rhythmic tapping or pounding) & Stretching (relacing & contracting muscles)

This will boost confidence & mental clarity.

This procedure would ideally suit someone who is immediately going to carry out high intensity exercise within the next 24 hours at most.

This will last approx. 10-20 minutes but certainly no longer than 30 minutes 

Post-event Sports Massage

The aim is to decrease muscle soreness, cool the body down & prevent excess adrenaline causing symptoms such as involuntary shaking & cold sweats, reduce muscle tension, improve blood circulation & facilitate body’s return to its prime state.  It aims to ease any tension within the muscles & improves the efficiency of the immune system and calm the body and mind back down.

The main procedure would use effleurage (Long smooth strokes along the length of the muscle) Petrissage (Kneading & warming the body) .

This would ideally suit anyone who has been performing high intensity exercise within the last 24 hours.

This should ideally be carried out within 12 hours following the high intensity activity but sometimes up to 24 hours afterwards.

This would typically be applied for 30-90 minutes.

Restorative/Maintenance Sports Massage

This aims to maintain the body’s optimal performance/condition ensuring it continues performing well & resolve any  musculoskeletal complications & issues in any joints, pains, sore & stiff muscles & issues relating to restricted ranges of motion.

This would often facilitate the restoration of:- Sprains, athletic injuries, pain in neck & lower back, shoulder & upper back, Pain in coccyx’s, accidents, Injuries & discogenic pain.  This can maintain/induce the body & mind back to its calm state depending on the requirements of individuals.

The main procedure would involve effleurage (Long smooth strokes along the length of the muscle) Petrissage (Kneading & warming the body) Stretching (Assisting the stretches of muscles)  Frictions (The rubbing/freeing of any knots) Compressions (Applying pressure and relieving the muscle) Knuckling (Applying frictions/compressions with knuckles to relieve bigger knots/muscle tensions)

This would suit anyone wanting to keep body hyped up & maintain its optimal state.

This typically lasts 60-90 mins

Re-habilitive Sports Massage

This is best suited to those who are looking to alleviate pain caused by injury (Such as fractures & Ruptures) as the joint can become very week and effect performance & daily living). This typically works on target areas.

This can restore optimal functions in the body and encourage healing & immune function * bring the body back to its optimal state. This can calm the body & mind, eliminate stiffness & improve mobility

The main procedure would be effleurage (Long smooth strokes along the length of the muscle) Petrissage (Kneading & warming the body)  Compressions (Applying pressure to target area & freeing)

This procedure can benefit anyone as it relieves muscle soreness & keeps joints warmed to prevent tightness/injury & musculoskeletal complications.

This can be applied typically for 30-90 minutes.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

This can be applied as either a typical sports massage or a special technique which is a lot more gentle which stimulates the lymph glands to flush and filter more effectively without the intense muscle massage.  This is suitable for anyone but specifically anyone who is suffering from oedema, or lymphedema, it encourages the lymph fluid back towards the glands to be filtered so you can be less swollen and feel less pain as a result.

Typically applied 45-90 mins depending on areas needing attention.

Emma Young
Personal Training &
Sports Massage Therapy