Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage therapists near you
How can sports massage nourish you?
Sports massage is a branch of massage therapy that is designed specifically for athletes[1]. Unlike other types of massage, Sports massage is not intended for relaxation. Instead, strenuous techniques are used to stretch tight muscles and reduce the stress and tension that builds up in the tissue during exercise.
Sports massage is suitable for assisting with minor sporting injuries, to treat muscle soreness, increase flexibility and prevent injury. These may be performed pre, during or post exercise, and are tailored for specific sporting disciplines, injuries or conditions[2].
The history of sports massage dates back to the times of ancient Greeks and Romans[3], who believed in the benefit of massage therapy for exercise. Roman physician, Galen (AD 30 – 200)[4], was known to prescribe massage for gladiators both before and after exercise. Today, sports massage is a popular choice for sporting professionals, and is widely used by athletes in elite sporting competitions around the world[5].
In Australia, sports massage may be provided by sports physiotherapists[6], sports osteopaths[7] or by sports massage therapists who have completed courses in sports massage.
It is important to choose a therapist who is registered with a professional association to ensure the highest standard of treatment. These include Massage & Myotherapy Australia[8], Massage Association of Australia[9] and the Association of Massage Therapists[10]. Sports physiotherapists may also be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia[11], which is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Members who are registered with these peak bodies are required to undertake continuous professional development and commit to upholding excellence in practice.
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Practitioners offering Sports Massage Therapy
Benefits of sports massage
The overarching purpose of this therapy is to prevent and treat sports-related conditions. As such, sports massage may be of benefit to both amateur and elite athletes alike.
In a systematic review evaluating the effects of massage after strenuous exercise, it was reported that massage therapy may be effective for improving the delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle performance[12]. This is further supported by a large meta-analysis that confirms the beneficial effects of massage in improving DOMS as well as flexibility[13].
There is also evidence to suggest that massage therapy may be beneficial for recovery after exercise, rehabilitation following injury, and preparing athletes for performance.
Additional studies have reported that massage therapy may improve shoulder range of motion[14], as well as reduce muscle pain in the quadriceps of runners[15].
Sports massage may assist in alleviating symptoms that relate to:
What to expect from a sports massage session
A collection of different massage techniques may be used by a sports massage therapist. These may include techniques such as effleurage (sliding, circular movements), petrissage (kneading and pressure techniques), tapotement (repetitive striking movements), friction (stroking in circular or linear motions) and vibration (shaking).
The specific combination of techniques used will provide different results. As such, your massage therapy session will provide you with individualised benefits[16] that are dependent on your athletic needs. Your session will therefore differ depending on whether you are seeking a pre or post exercise treatment.
If you require a pre-exercise sports massage, your therapist may use techniques that activate the muscles and prepare your body for the upcoming activity. A pre-exercise massage will typically be done 30 minutes to two hours before the event.
In contrast, if you require treatment post exercise, your therapist may use techniques that increase blood flow, decrease inflammation and aid in muscle recovery.
Keep in mind that it is always advisable to consult a qualified health professional before commencing any wellness journey. If you have an injury or an underlying health issue, speak to your sports massage therapist, who will be happy to address these concerns and personalise the therapy session to your individual requirements.
References
1. Sports massage. Healthdirect; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
2. Sports Massage. Massage & Myotherapy Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
3. Sports Massage. Encyclopedia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
4. Sports Massage Not Just for Athletes. Healthy Cells Magazine; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
5. Olympic Athletes Clear the Trail for Sports Massage. Massage Magazine; 2016.
6. Physiotherapy Services. Australian Sports Physiotherapy; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
7. Sports Osteopath Clinic In Melbourne. Middle Park Osteopathic Clinic; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
8. Home. Massage & Myotherapy Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
9. Home. Massage Association of Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
10. Who are we? The Association of Massage Therapists (AMT); [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
11. Registration. Physiotherapy Board of Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
12. Guo J, Li L, Gong Y, Zhu R, Xu J, Zou J, et al. Massage Alleviates Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness after Strenuous Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Physiology; 2017.
13. Davis HL, Alabed S, Chico TJA. Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine; 2020.
14. Standley RA, Miller MG, Binkley H. Massage’s Effect on Injury, recovery, and Performance: A review of Techniques and treatment Parameters. Strength and Conditioning Journal; 2010.
15. Yeun YR. Effectiveness of massage therapy on the range of motion of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Physical Therapy Science; 2017.
16. DeBusk C. The Ultimate Guide to Sports Massage: Benefits, Techniques, and Career Insights. Massage Magazine; 2018.