Sports vs Traditional Massage

What’s the difference between traditional style massages and a sports massage?

Massage therapy has been practiced for thousands of years and is known for its ability to improve overall well-being and relieve muscle tension. There are various types of massages, each with a different focus and technique. The most popular types of massage are Swedish, Deep Tissue and Sports massage. Swedish and Deep Tissue are what most people think of as a traditional massage. Sports Massage can be quite different in the approach and intended results.

While both traditional massage and sports massage can be used to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension, sports massage is typically more targeted, intense and incorporates a lot of stretching. Traditional massage is generally more suitable for people who are looking for a general sense of relaxation, whereas sports massage is geared towards people who are looking to improve their performance or recover from injuries.

Traditional massages such as Swedish and Deep Tissue are therapeutic massages that aim to relax the entire body. Swedish massage is typically performed with long, flowing strokes that help to release tension and promote relaxation. The massage therapist may use their hands, fingers, forearms, and elbows to apply pressure to the muscles. The pressure for Swedish can be light, medium, or firm depending on the client’s preference. Deep tissue massage is a more targeted massage that is designed to release chronic muscle tension and knots. The pressure used in deep tissue massage is typically deeper and more intense than in Swedish massage, and the techniques used are more focused and targeted to address specific areas of the body.

The primary goal of traditional massage is to promote relaxation and relieve stress. The massage therapist may use techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction to help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation. Effleurage is a long, smooth stroke that is used to warm up the muscles and increase circulation. Petrissage involves kneading, rolling, and squeezing the muscles to help release tension. Tapotement is a series of quick, rhythmic taps that are used to stimulate the muscles. Friction involves rubbing the muscles in a circular motion to help release knots and tension.

Sports massage, on the other hand, is a type of massage that is specifically designed for athletes and people who engage in physical activity. It is used to help prevent and treat injuries, as well as improve athletic performance. Sports massage is typically performed with firmer pressure than traditional massage, and the massage therapist may use techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release.The use of contract/relax stretching in different positions may be one of the main differences from traditional style massage. Stretching in combination with massage techniques to help release tension in the muscles and and increase range of motion at the joints is what really sets Sports massage apart. Thai style massage can be similar to Sports massage in that it uses stretching and different body positions as well.

The primary goal of sports massage is to help athletes improve their athletic performance by increasing range of motion and decreasing painful movement. The massage therapist may use deep tissue massage to help break up scar tissue and adhesions, which can cause pain and restrict movement. Trigger point therapy involves applying pressure to specific areas of the body to help relieve pain and tension. Myofascial release is a technique that involves applying slow moving pressure to the connective tissue surrounding the muscles to help release tension. Contract/relax stretching helps to increase range of motion of the joints by contracting and then relaxing the tight muscles at the end of their range.

Another difference between traditional massage and sports massage is the type of client they cater to. Traditional massage is generally suitable for everyone, regardless of their level of physical activity. It is particularly popular among people who are looking to relieve stress and tension. Sports massage, on the other hand, is geared towards athletes and people who engage in physical activity. It is particularly useful for people who are looking to prevent, treat and recover from injuries.

The setting of traditional massage is usually in a private room, on a massage table, with dim lighting and calming music. The person receiving the massage is usually undressed to their level of comfortability and underneath a sheet/towel/blanket. They will almost always be lying face down, on their back, or side lying. Essential oils may be diffused into the surrounding air to aid in the relaxation.

The setting of a Sports massage can be similar, but is usually quite different. The client is often wearing gym clothing, while sometimes slightly exposing the targeted area. The session can then be done out in a public setting, on a massage table or on the ground with any background noise/music. Because there can be a fair amount of stretching and movement involved, the client may be positioned in numerous ways including face down, on their back, side lying, standing, sitting, quadruped, or even kneeling.

In summary, while traditional massage and sports massage share some similarities, such as their ability to reduce muscle tension, they differ in their approach and the intended results. Traditional massage is a general massage that is aimed at promoting relaxation and reducing stress, while sports massage uses targeted massage and stretching techniques that help to increase range of motion and decrease painful movement.