What is Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a therapeutic massage designed for individuals who are physically active, whether they are professional athletes or simply enjoy an active lifestyle. It focuses on areas of the body experiencing stress and tension from physical activity, using techniques like deep tissue massage, stretching, and compression to improve flexibility, reduce soreness, and enhance the body’s natural healing process.

When to use it

I incorporate some aspects of Sports Massage into just about every massage I have ever given because it really helps the body heal and reconnects the person to their body. Every body can benefit from joint mobilization which is simply moving a joint or structure through as much range of motion as possible without fear or pain. For injuries, I start with very small movements until I discern what the body can do and what the nervous system will tolerate without going into anxiety. My motto is “You are going to get a lot more out of this if we dance than if we wrestle!!” I do not fight a client’s body. Instead I engage with intention and make my plan very clear so we are moving together. In a word, dancing.

Specific Variations

There are times when specific movements are used for Sports Massage. If I am doing this at a race, whether a 5 K or an Ultra Marathon, I use “Pre-Event Massage” which is quick and light, no deep tissue work. It is designed to excite the muscles and prepare the athlete for their event.

After the race comes “Post-Event Massage” which is slower, longer strokes designed to flush metabolic waste, speed recovery and prevent cramping.

For most sessions in my office I use “Maintenance Sports Massage” which is lots of stretching, muscle testing, active and passive range of motion, joint mobilization and deep tissue, where appropriate.

Everyone is an Athlete!

I treat every body as if the person is an athlete because we can all benefit from improved joint function whether the person is a competitive athlete or a desk jockey.