Sports massage is deep tissue massage. Many sports clubs & fitness centres now have on-site facilities for deep tissue massage. As a therapy deep tissue massage can be beneficial for athletes & non- athletes alike. Deep tissue massage combines the standard techniques of effleurage, petrissage & tapotement with passive & active mobilisations & stretching.
Additional remedial techniques are also often used while giving deep tissue massage. These can be soft tissue release, muscle energy techniques & neuromuscular principles. There are a variety of complementary techniques to deep tissue massage & the therapist will choose those which suit his patient & his purpose in treating them.
There are certain differences between deep tissue massage & general massage. Deep tissue massage, now referred to as sports massage, has developed over the years to help athletes prepare for & recover from their training & competitions. Athletic bodies tend to be fit, toned & hard which has implications for the therapist especially when attending to the deeper structures. The techniques & pressure used in deep tissue massage are geared towards specific treatment rather than just relaxation. Deep tissue massage is extensively used for remedial & recovery purposes.
|