Sports Massage: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a specialized form of therapeutic massage designed to support athletes and active individuals by addressing muscle tension, enhancing flexibility, and speeding up recovery. At Breathe Massage & Fitness in Littleton, CO, our skilled massage therapists use a blend of therapeutimassage techniques such as, deep tissue massage, and myofascial release massage. In addition, targeted stretching will help to improve range of motion, but also will boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and help your muscles prevent further injuries. Whether you’re looking to ease soreness after a workout or prevent potential injuries before an athletic event, sports massage offers a proactive approach to maintaining a balanced, resilient body that can handle the demands of an active lifestyle. This focused therapy not only helps relieve muscle tightness but also promotes overall well-being and longevity. So you can keep tackling your next athletic challenge with confidence.
Still have questions about what a sports massage is? Watch our Youtube video explain What Is a Sports Massage in greater detail.
Who should get a Sports Massage?
Sports massage is an excellent option for all athletes or anyone with an active lifestyle. It’s not just for elite athletes, but recreational sports enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and regular gym-goers can all benefit from a sports massage’s targeted approach to muscle and body care. Whether you’re training for a competition, recovering from an intense workout, or managing chronic muscle tension, sports massage can help. Additionally, your flexibility, and recovery, will improve. You’ll also notice that you don’t get injured as often. Sports massage is also ideal for those recovering from minor injuries or looking to address muscle imbalances before they become more serious. Ultimately, if you lead an active life and want to maintain optimal performance and overall wellness, incorporating sports massage into your routine is a smart choice.
How is Sports Massage different from other massages?
Sports massage stands apart from other massage therapy modalities by focusing specifically on the needs of athletes and active individuals. Unlike Swedish or relaxation massages that primarily aim to reduce stress with gentle, flowing strokes, sports massage uses targeted techniques. Such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release massage, trigger point therapy massage, and stretching. This helps to address muscular imbalances, enhance flexibility, and speed up recovery. This specialized approach is designed not only to relieve soreness but also to prevent injuries and prepare the body for peak performance, making it an essential part of an athlete’s training regimen.
When is the best time to get a Sports Massage?
The ideal timing for a sports massage depends on your training and performance goals. Many athletes benefit from scheduling a sports massage before an event—typically 24 to 72 hours in advance—to help loosen tight muscles, improve circulation, and enhance overall performance while preventing further potential injury. This pre-event session can prepare the body for peak performance by addressing areas of tension and reducing the risk of injury. Alternatively, a post-event massage, ideally within a couple of hours after intense activity, can speed up recovery by flushing out lactic acid, reducing inflammation, and alleviating soreness to allow athletes to get back to training for future events faster. For those with regular training routines, incorporating periodic maintenance sports massage sessions helps to sustain muscle balance and prevent chronic issues, ensuring your body stays resilient and ready for every challenge in the future.
Where can I find someone who specializes in Sports Massage?
There are a few different ways that you can find someone who specializes in Sports Massage Therapy.
1) Type in “Sports Massage near me” on Google Maps. Check out reviews to see if they can offer you good results based on your goals. Don’t forget to check multiple review sources to make sure the story lines up!
2) Check out MassageBook for local solo massage practitioners. This is where you will find much better quality massage therapists who specialize in certain massage practices as opposed to massage franchises. Massage franchises usually have no specialty or dedicated massage therapist who can get to know your body. Support small businesses and get better massage care with superior undivided attention.
3) Ask your go-to health professional for a sports massage therapist referral. Usually Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and other health practitioners will have someone they usually recommend to their patients.
How Much Do Sports Massages Cost?
Sports Massage or any type of Massage Therapy can vary greatly in price. The national average is $80-$100 for a 60 minute massage. As massages become more specialized pricing usually rises to $120+
Some factors that can dictate the price of a sports massage can come down to…
-The likelihood of the massage therapists achieving the desired client outcome
-How long a massage therapist has been practicing for
-What their specialty/niche is
-Local area (high rent vs low rent area)
-Are they a licensed massage therapist,
-Convenience (mobile massage)
If you are looking for reduced cost for your massage session there are a few good ways to go about this.
1) Inquire about a massage membership or packages that your massage establishment offers
2) Do a shorter duration of your massage service. Going from a 60 minute massage to a 30 minute massage will usually cut your cost of massage in half.
3) Find an establishment with lower massage pricing
Do I need to be fully undressed to get a
Sports Massage?
Sports Massage can be done fully clothed or unclothed. This question is best answered by the massage therapist that is performing your sports massage service and the answer can also change based on goals for the sports massage. At Breathe Massage & Fitness our standard protocol for undressing is we recommend removing everything other than the bottom underwear for all our massage services including sports massage.