Sports Massage Therapy
What Is Sports Massage?
Various movements and techniques are used to try to help an individuals body achieve maximum performance and physical conditioning, with a decreased risk of injury or pain and a quicker recovery.
A sports massage session is specifically tailored to an individual’s needs. Some elements of sports massage are used in other physiotherapy settings and to treat conditions outside of sports or musculoskeletal injury
Examples of techniques used in sports massage / soft tissue therapy include:
- Swedish style massage
- Effleurage (stroking)
- Petrissage (kneading)
- Compression
- Friction
- Tapotement (rhythmic striking)
- Vibration
- Gliding
- Stretching
- Percussion
- Trigger points
- Instrument assisted soft tissue therapy
- Cupping
Sports Massage Benefits
Many sports massage benefits have been reported on the basis of experience and observation alone. These include:
- Increased joint range of motion (ROM)
- Increased flexibility
- Decreased muscle tension
- Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Increased sense of well-being
- Decreased anxiety and improved mood
- Improved sleep
- Increased blood flow
- Decreased chance of injury
- Decreased recovery time between workouts
Potential Side Effects of Sports Massage
For the most part, sports massage is safe with very few side effects.
Potential side effects of sports massage include tenderness or stiffness for one to two days after a therapy session.
It’s also possible that you could have a skin reaction to the massage oils used.
How Painful Is a Sports Massage?
You may feel some discomfort during or after a sports massage, but it should not cause significant pain. If you feel pain beyond what some call “the good kind of hurt,” tell your therapist right away.
Meet our Soft Tissue Therapist
It is important that you book with a credentialed sports massage therapist, and in Dave Rowe we have one of Wales’ leading Soft Tissue Therapists.
Qualifying as a sports massage therapist in 1994 with a Level 4 accredited RSA diploma in Sports Massage Therapy; Dave began his career in private practice in Cardiff working with the general public, amateur and semi professional athletes. He quickly progressed and In 1997 Dave started working with the Football Association of Wales Senior team.
Dave continues to work with the Wales National football team and was soft tissue therapist at the memorable 2016 European Championships campaign. He now assists the Wales Under 21’s squad to transition along the pathway to senior football.
In 2005 Dave added supporting Sport Wales’ funded athletes (including many international and world class Olympians and Paralympians) to his portfolio. His experience within this environment provided a springboard to selection for Team Wales at the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games as Lead Soft Tissue Therapist.
In 2008 Dave joined West Ham United in the Premier League, eventually returning to Sport Wales to continue working with a broad cross-section of high performance athletes. A role Dave still enjoys.
Dave is passionate about promoting the benefits of soft tissue therapy to maximise general health, well being and performance – for all athletes and/or those undertaking exercise – with a particular interest in physical preparation, self-management and recovery.
Now, in collaboration with the Pro Sports Medicine team, he aims to share his knowledge and expertise to anyone interested in their own physical development and performance enhancement.
Sports massage is highly valued by many athletes, even though some of its purported benefits are not fully supported by research. If your goal is relief from sore and tense muscles after a workout, as well as general relaxation, it may be valuable for you.
