How is sports massage different from other types of therapeutic massage?
The basic techniques in sports massage can be the same as the basic techniques in any other forms of therapeutic massage. However, in sports massage the therapist may apply the techniques more firmly and deeply. The sports massage therapist may also make more use of friction techniques which involves applying deep pressure to tissues repeatedly to break down adhesions (sticky bits on tendons) and soften scar tissue. Some sports massage techniques are designed to reduce an injury back to its acute stage in order to trigger the body’s natural healing response.
• The basic techniques in sports massage can be the same as the basic techniques in any other forms of therapeutic massage. • In sports massage the therapist may apply the techniques more firmly and deeper than a general massage therapist might. • The sports massage therapist may also make more use for frictioning techniques which involves applying deep pressure to tissues repeatedly to break down adhesions (sticky bits on tendons) and soften scar tissue. • Some sports massage techniques are designed to reduce an injury back to its acute stage in order to trigger the bodies natural healing response.