What is the difference between sports massage and deep tissue massage?

THE HEALING SHOP NO LONGER OFFERS THIS TREATMENT.

WE DECIDED TO LEAVE THIS BLOG FOR INFORMATION AS WE BELIEVE

THAT MASSAGE IS VERY BENEFICIAL

On initial inspection it seems, not a lot! Both massage treatments are usually offered by the same therapist and are a similar price. However on further inspection they are quite different, so which is the best choice?

Did you know that we have over 650 muscles in our bodies? These include the minute muscles that raise our body hair plus many others with a myriad of different jobs. However, the main ones that we focus on in the therapy world are our global muscle groups such as quads and hamstrings and our local muscles. Underneath those large muscles that take the brunt of our movement, we have smaller sets of muscles called local muscles also known as our stabilisation system. These muscles are set deep into the body, close to the joints. Their job, simplistically, is to prevent excessive movement by the larger global and offer support with finer movements such as turning our toes inwards.

Both massage techniques stimulate the body to continue with repairs that your brain has long forgotten about. Your natural daily movement should deal with clearing up after an injury while the brain gets on with other tasks but if you are not able to move properly or continually repeating the same movement then this process is not always completed effectively.

Sports massage uses a system of light then deep massage techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, wringing, kneading, hacking, trigger points and frictions to target particular injuries no matter how you got them. A friction is when your therapist basically strumms your muscles or tendons like a guitar. This helps to release the ‘locked up’ feeling as tendons, by design, have a limited blood supply and therefore heal a lot slower than muscles. This method helps to release any scar tissue created by excessive movements or old injuries and reminds the brain to continue with the healing process.

Deep tissue massage uses the same methodologies but without trigger points and frictions. It is a full body experience using a similar routine of massage techniques applied with greater pressure to your muscles in order to relax our larger muscles and to reach the smaller, deeper set muscles and connective tissue. Deep Tissue massage is a natural healing method that helps to relieve tension, break down knots and scar tissue that has built up in our larger global muscles from an injury or just not being able to move in their full range causing them to become shortened and feel tight. Once released, your therapist will then be able to access the smaller local muscles that may have been damaged from excessive and or continuous movement (repetitive strain injury RSI).

Does sports massage and deep tissue massage hurt?

Only the areas that have sustained an injury or are tight is likely to be more tender, however your therapist will work with your tolerance level. We start with lighter massage moves to warm up the area to encourage you to relax because if you hold your muscles tight it will definitely hurt. Moving on to deeper strokes releasing the tension in both muscles, tendons and connective tissue. Sports massage we will ask you loads of questions about your injury and how it occurred, we will measure your range of movement and review your posture. The massage will stay in the general area of the injury unless your therapist identifies another underlying cause. It is likely to include deeper target work on ‘knots’ or tendons and target trigger points. Whereas a Deep tissue massage will continue at the same pressure and depth over the whole body and is therefore much more relaxing. Both methods may leave you feeling a bit achy for a couple of days in the same way as if you have just started back at exercise or increased your exercise regime and some people have no after effects at all. However, if you do this will dissipate quickly and you’ll suddenly realise that you’ve run up the stairs and completed a couple of jobs that you couldn't do before and then, you will like me again.

By now you are probably thinking this all seems a bit barbaric but I can assure you that you will feel amazing. I really enjoy both methods as I prefer a deeper touch and I will cycle between the two depending how my body feels and enjoy a good laugh as they reach the pleasure/pain threshold during a sports massage. I’ll let you do your own research into that one!

Unexpressed, unresolved or repressed emotion gets stuck in our body, especially in the muscles and can actually be the underlying cause of many of the presenting injuries. For example, unspoken words can present as a sore throat or pain at elbows or knees could represent changes in direction in life and the ease of these movements. Massage will help liberate these trapped emotions, opening a door within previously held shut.

Conclusion

Overall, both Sports massage and deep tissue massage are effective tools to aid in the relief of muscular and tendon pain, increased range of movement and promote healing but offer very different experiences. A sports massage is much more intense and can tend to be painful at the site of injury but this will give great relief in the long run. I tend to put on some chilled out house music to hide the screams, no joking! I just feel it’s a bit more upbeat and suits the style of the massage better. Deep tissue is a more calm experience that will encourage relaxation provided you enjoy a deeper touch. If this all seems too intense for you then there are other types of massage that would be a much gentler affair but potentially less effective for specific injuries and you are more likely to get an emotional release. I will put on some relaxing meditation style music, dim the lights and burn some lovely smelling candles to enhance the experience. Build a massage treatment into your body maintenance plan to prevent injuries from occurring, improve your activity or training regime and remain in peak condition for as long as possible. Book your appointment at The Healing Shop, Havant now or find a massage therapist near you.

What type of massage are you going to pick?

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