What’s The Difference? Sports Massage vs Deep Tissue Massage

Here at ProSport Physiotherapy we offer a wide range of services… From physiotherapy to sports massage, wellness classes and longevity classes.

But one question we are regularly asked is… ‘what is the difference between a regular massage and sports massage?’

Well, today we’ll clear up a few of those differences, so the next time you’ve got those aches and pains, you know where to go.

So What Is The Difference Between Sports Massage vs Deep Tissue Massage

It may seem a little confusing at the start but the answer is actually a simple one. A regular massage is usually a full body massage aimed at relaxing the whole body.

A sports massage is usually more area specific. Sports massage focuses on the areas most vulnerable to injury or stress depending on the person and their activities.

When people come into the ProSport clinic, most are surprised to find that sports massages are not just for those who regularly play sports. Sports massage can also be beneficial to a wide range of people ranging from professional athletes, those with physically demanding jobs and also those with desk based jobs.

The benefits of a sports massage include:

• Feeling of relaxation
• Increased blood flow
• Reduction of anxiety
• Increase in flexibility
• Prevention or relief of Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
• Scar tissue break down

There are four different types of sports massages:

• Pre-event:
  Having a sports massage prior to an event can aid performance and reduce the risk of injury as it focuses on increasing blood flow and tissue elasticity, which in turn reduces tension within the tissues.
• Post-event:
  Having a massage within 3 days of an event can maximise the body’s ability to normalise the affected tissues.
• Intra-event:
  These are not normally performed in clinics as they are performed mid competition. However, massages during competition are useful for relieving muscle pains.
• Rehabilitative:
  This type of sports massage is aimed at relieving pain during injury and aiding the body to recover.

If you want to read more on sports massages and if they are right for you just follow this link and read our blog post on sports massages. Follow this link. 

So Which One Is Right For You?

Now you know the difference between sports massage and deep tissue massage and you know the benefits, hopefully you can begin to see which one could be most beneficial for you.

In every case, if you’re looking to solve your pain, we’d definitely recommend booking a free 1-1 assessment to first determine the root cause of your pain. We’ll then guide you in the right direction to solve your problem.

If you want to learn more on how sports massage could help you, or maybe you’d like to book straight in, just call on 01484 443173 or email wecare@prosportphysio.com