Sports Massage/ Deep Tissue Massage

ports massage or remedial / deep tissue massage involves applying firm pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles).  It’s used for chronic aches and pains as well as contracted, tight areas such as a stiff neck, upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders. Trigger points / knots can appear from just doing our everyday activities.

 

BENEFITS OF SPORTS MASSAGE

Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic muscle pain, injury, rehabilitation. Below are just some of the issues that benefit from treatment:-

 
 

Low back pain

Limited mobility​

Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls)

Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome

Postural problems

Muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, upper back
Osteoarthritis pain

Sciatica

Piriformis Syndrome
​Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
​Fibromyalgia

Upper back or neck pain​

​

Sports massage manipulates soft tissue which will help improve and restore correct muscle function, increase flexibility and blood flow, remove waste products and break down adhesion. The massage we offer includes Muscle Energy Techniques (METs), Soft Tissue Release (STR), Myofacial Release and other Advance Sports Massage Techniques.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Deep tissue massage techniques are used to break up scar tissue and physically break down muscle “knots” or adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited range of motion, and inflammation.
While some of the strokes may feel the same as those used in Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage isn’t a stronger version of a Swedish massage.
At the beginning of a deep tissue massage, lighter pressure is generally applied to warm up and prepare the muscles. Specific techniques are then applied. 

 

COMMON TECHNIQUES

 
 

STRIPPING

Deep, gliding pressure is applied along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs.
 
 

FRICTION

Pressure is applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and realign tissue fibers.

​

Massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms during a deep tissue massage. You may be asked to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on tense areas.
After the massage, you may feel sleepy, tired, washed out or have some stiffness or soreness, but it should subside within a day or so.
Drinking water after the massage may help to flush the metabolic waste from the tissues.
 

DO DEEP TISSUE MASSAGES HURT?

 

At certain times during the massage, you may feel some discomfort or even some pain as the massage therapist works on areas where there are knots, adhesions / scar tissue.
Pain isn’t necessarily good, and it’s not a sign that the massage will be effective. In fact, your body may tense up in response to pain, making it harder for the therapist to reach deeper muscles.
You should always tell your massage therapist if you feel pain during the massage. The therapist can adjust the technique or further prep the tissues if the superficial muscles are tense.