Sports Massage

Sports massage is also known as deep tissue massage or soft tissue therapy. It can be described as ‘the manipulation and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is applicable not just to sports people but to anybody wishing to guard against or recover from a soft tissue injury’ (Sports Massage Association, 2022)

Specific benefits of Sports Massage include: 

• Helps to prevent injury by identifying areas of tension and addressing these before they become a problem. 
• Helps to decrease recovery time between hard workouts.
• Reduction of scar tissue caused by previous injuries.
• Reduction in muscle tension caused by over use or stress.
• Improved range of motion at joints.
• Improved circulation and lymphatic flow.
• Improves general flexibility which is also linked to a reduced risk of injury. 

Regular sports massage, along with strength and conditioning, flexibility work and appropriate rest is the best way to avoid getting injured, but as a Sports Massage Therapist qualified to BTEC level 5, I am qualified to treat injuries when they do happen. In this case, sports massage can help muscles recover when used alongside strength and conditioning exercises, stretching and a gradual return to sport as advised.