Benefits of sports massage: header image of sports massage therapist with client
Want to know more about the benefits of sports massage? If so, you’re in the right place!
Perhaps you’re trying to get an idea of what sports massage techniques do for your performance, or you want to weigh up deep tissue vs sports massage?
Whatever you’re here for, we’ve got it covered right here in our ultimate guide.
If you’re interested in kick-starting your own career in sports massage therapy then be sure to check out OriGym’s Level 3 Sports Massage Course!
Who reaps the benefits of sports massage?
There is a common misconception that sports massage therapy is purely for professional athletes, and this is why we’re going to answer the question ‘who benefits from sports massage?’.
benefits of sports massage: a man questioning who benefits from it
Although the treatment was originally intended for preventing and relieving pain in athletes, it is now sought out by amateur gym-goers and even those who suffer from stress.
There are two simple reasons for this:
Sports massage therapy can improve performance and prevent injury (so those that exercise regularly benefit from this)
It releases endorphins (‘happy’ and ‘pain killing’ hormones) from the pituitary gland, and these are known to relieve pain and the symptoms of anxiety and depression
This means that almost anyone can reap the benefits of sports massage if they feel the need to give it a try!
When to get a sports massage if you’re a non-athlete
As we said earlier, you don’t have to be a professional athlete to gain the benefits of sports massage.
However, we’re not surprised if you’re still left wondering when to get a sports massage, especially with the lack of information out there.
To get straight to the point, you’re most likely to feel the benefits of sports massage as a non-athlete if you are suffering from an injury or pain that is specific to one part of the body.
You may have a pulled hamstring, for example, and sports massage therapy would certainly help with this!
benefits of sports massage: graphic of someone grabbing at sore knee
If you’re not experiencing specific aches or pains, you may want to opt for a more holistic massage technique such as a deep tissue massage (which we’ll talk about later in our deep tissue vs sports massage section!).
That’s not to say that the benefits of sports massage don’t include stress relief, only that it may be more productive to seek alternative treatments that nip this in the bud straight away.
However, if you want to know more about the opposite point of view you can check out this article on why non-athletes should get a sports massage.
When to get a sports massage if you’re an athlete
If you’re an athlete you might already know the answer to this question, so feel free to scroll down if so!
If you’re unsure, then stick with us.
There are actually four different types of massage in sports massage therapy, and they are as follows:
Before exercise
After exercise
Restorative
Rehabilitative
If you’re debating when to get a sports massage as an athlete, then it’s completely acceptable to seek sports massage therapy in any of the listed scenarios.
In fact, many athletes reap the benefits of sports massage on a regular basis, as it is an effective method of injury prevention.
Sports massage therapists can usually pre-empt injuries in clients, as they can single out abnormalities in the muscle tissues and treat them before they become one.
The short answer to when to get a sports massage as an athlete is whenever!
benefits of sports massage: consult to a doctor
NOTE: (This is providing that in the case of an injury your doctor has given you the all clear to go ahead with this, and that you yourself are comfortable with what a sports massage entails. If in doubt, seek medical advice first!).
Sports massage techniques
When we talk about the benefits of sports massage, they tend to depend on the specific needs of the client and which of the sports massage techniques need to be used in treatment.
It sounds slightly complicated, but this is why we’re here to simplify it!
Let’s jump in to the fundamental sports massage techniques, and what each of them are used to achieve when it comes to the benefits of sports massage