21/07/2025
What actually is a sports massage?
Before writing this article, I googled this very question, and what I got back was nothing short of a mixed bag. Basically, it's a deep-tissue therapeutic massage usually used for treating acute and chronic injuries. But what is very clear, it means, or perhaps doesn't mean, many things to many people, including us therapists.
Why? I think it's because sports massage has evolved over the years and is used across so many different therapy types. Osteopaths use it. Physiotherapists use it. Sports Therapists use it, and so on. And, to make matters more difficult, it can vary greatly between providers. Many therapists will have their own way of doing things based on their experience, training, and even how they run their business.
All of this makes it very confusing for you, especially if the phrase itself doesn't resonate with you, as you may not play sports. And, to make matters more confusing, many sports massage therapists also offer cupping, acupuncture, and many other therapy options as a part of their sports massage appointments.
For the reasons I've just mentioned, but also a few I haven't, I decided to just call our Sports Massage appointments Injury Therapy instead. Seems easier, and you don't have to choose what you think is best. Tell us what's wrong, and we'll figure out the rest.
For the reasons I've just mentioned, but also a few I haven't, I decided to just call our Sports Massage appointments Injury Therapy instead. Seems easier, and you don't have to choose what you think is best. Tell us what's wrong, and we'll figure out the rest.
I'm interested to hear what you think. Do you even care about what it's called? Have you struggled to find what you need?
Trevor
