Sports massage Therapist uses a variety of techniques. Sports massage combines techniques from other disciplines like osteopathy and physiotherapy, and highlighted below are some of the commonly used techniques. including:

​

• Effleurage

• kneading 

•  Hacking

• Wringing

• Trigger pointing

• Soft Tissue Release 

• Connective Tissue 

• Positional Release 

• Friction 

• Muscle Energy Technique

• Compression 

​

Effleurage 

This stroking sports massage technique is very important as it has many purposes and benefits. Sports massage therapists use this method to spread different massage mediums like oils and cream on the body to warm up the tissues. The effleurage technique has a relaxing effect and it does a good job of stimulating the body depending on the application speed. Also, most massage therapists combine this method with others to work as a flushing procedure that helps lymphatic drainage and blood circulation.

 

Petrissage

The Kneading sports massage method, commonly referred to as petrissage, involves mobilizing the soft tissue in the body in different ways like squeezing, moving, or lifting. During this process, the massage therapist’s hand strokes apply pressure that employs a pumping action on the primary capillaries and veins, and as the pressure speeds up, blood and nutrient circulation increase. Besides, certified sports massage therapists regularly use this technique to aid in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the body, removal of waste products, and manipulation of body tissue.

 

Hacking

Hacking sports massage is a form of percussion massage technique used by most massage therapists. With this method, the hand’s borders are used to briskly strike the tissues in a bid to stimulate and soften the area. This technique is very common and there are percussion massage guns available in the market for you to use to massage yourself. Additionally, this sports massage technique increases muscle tone, softens hard tissue areas, enhances blood circulation, and stimulates reflex muscle contractions.

 

Wringing

The wringing sports massage technique is quite different from other methods as it involves lifting the tissues away from the bone and pushing it from side to side as the therapist’s hands move in the alternate direction. Because the massage therapists alternate between squeezing and releasing the tissues, this helps improve the blood circulation in that area while removing waste products. This sports massage method is beneficial as it stretches the muscles to release tension while improving the elasticity of the body tissue. Plus, just like other techniques, this one also aids in increasing nutrients and oxygen circulation in the body.

 

Trigger Pointing Therapy

The trigger pointing sports massage method is designed to relieve pain, neutralise trigger points, and alleviate muscle tightness in different parts of the body. Most trigger points are areas within a muscle that is painful to touch, and they develop when tension builds within the tissues. With trigger pointing, pressure is directly applied to these trigger points to increase blood circulation and reduce pain. Massage therapists use this method as a form of recovery, maintenance or post-event massage method to prevent injury after a sporting event or workout.​

 

​Soft tissue release

Soft tissue release is a massage technique that uses slow, deep movements to treat pain and injuries. It can help relieve tension, improve circulation, and realign tissues. It involves stretching and locking the muscles and tissues

 

Fascial release

This Technique is used to release connective tissues around the muscle. Connective tissue massage, is a manual therapy technique that manipulates the skin and subcutaneous tissues to influence the autonomic nervous system and potentially address a range of conditions. it is the  type of massage that focuses on the fascia, a type of connective tissue that envelops muscles, organs, and other structures in the body. It involves manipulating the skin and subcutaneous tissues to stimulate reflex effects on the autonomic nervous system, potentially leading to pain reduction, improved circulation, and increased mobility.

​

Positional release

This Technique is used to relax hyperactive muscles in the body. 

Positional release massage is a gentle technique that uses passive body positioning to relax muscle spasms and dysfunctional joints by moving the body into a position of comfort. It is a therapeutic technique that addresses somatic dysfunction by bringing the body and its tissues into a position of comfort to resolve pain and tissue dysfunction. The therapist gently moves the client's body into a position of ease, which helps to break neurological feedback signals that are holding the tissue in spasm. The movement toward shortening is proposed to relax aberrant reflexes that produce the muscle spasm. it can help to Increase range of motion. Reduce pain in joints and muscle tissue and Restore proper, pain-free movement. 

​

Friction

Friction massage is a deep pressure massage technique that involves rubbing tissue in a circular motion to increase circulation and relieve tension. It's often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, and pain. Friction is a massage technique used to increase circulation and release areas that are tight; particularly around joints and where there are adhesions within the muscles or tendons. Friction is defined as “an accurately delivered penetrating pressure applied through fingertips. The massage is usually performed with the ball of the thumb or a pointed object. The tissue is pressed on and rubbed back and forth over the underlying muscle. The massage can be performed in a circular or criss-cross manner. Tissue elasticity: Increases tissue elasticity, allowing for more movement and preventing restrictions . Blood circulation: Increases blood circulation, allowing more nutrients to reach the tissues and waste products to be removed. Scar tissue: Breaks down scar tissue so injuries can heal quickly.  Flexibility and range of motion: Improves flexibility and range of motion in joints. Pain relief: Provides immediate and long-term pain relief.  

​

Muscle Energy Technique 

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a form of manual therapy, widely used in Osteopathy, that uses a muscle’s own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax the muscles via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition and lengthen the muscle. As compared to static stretching which is a passive technique in which the therapist does all the work, MET is an active technique in which the patient is also an active participant. MET is based on the concepts of Autogenic Inhibition and Reciprocal Inhibition. If a sub-maximal contraction of the muscle is followed by stretching of the same muscle it is known as Autogenic Inhibition MET, and if a submaximal contraction of a muscle is followed by stretching of the opposite muscle then this is known as Reciprocal Inhibition MET. 

​

​

Compression

Compression massage involves applying direct pressure to muscles and soft tissues, often used to relieve tension, reduce pain, and promote relaxation by increasing blood flow and cellular exchange. Compression massage involves laying hands over a muscle area and pushing down onto the tissues, then lifting and moving to a different area, repeating the process. The pressure can range from light to deep. Compression massage helps relax muscles by applying proper pressure, enhancing the massage experience and promoting further relaxation. It can effectively relieve tight muscles and decrease pain. The pressure applied during compression massage increases blood flow and circulation, which can help improve tissue health and promote healing.  ImpCompression can increase cellular exchange, helping to remove waste products and deliver nutrients to tissues

​