Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage – which is better for you?

With so many different types of massage therapy, it can be hard to know which kind would be best for your needs. Traditional massages are geared towards relaxation and stress relief, while newer, more attentive techniques focus on treating specific trouble points. Deep tissue massage and sports massage are two approaches commonly heard of in physiotherapy. These are recommended go-to therapies for those who are feeling achy after a game, sports training, or workout. But which one should you go for?

How Deep Tissue Massage Works

Deep tissue massage is a type of manipulative therapy that involves applying firm pressure and slow strokes to reach the deeper layers of muscles and fascia. It can involve your entire body or just one area. This technique helps in breaking up muscle ‘knots’ or adhesions that may cause pain, limited range of motion, and inflammation. It is mainly used in treating musculoskeletal issues associated with low back pain, stiff neck, upper back pain, sore shoulders, and leg muscle tightness.

At the beginning of a deep tissue physiotherapy massage, lighter pressure is applied to warm up and prepare the muscles. Then, the therapist will knead and stroke on problem areas using intense pressure. Getting deep tissue massage will increase your range of motion making the body more efficient at building muscles during exercise. It can help stretch out tight, twisted muscles and facilitate injury recovery. It’s also a great stress reliever as it can boost levels of feel-good hormones.

How Sports Massage Works

There is a misconception that sports massage therapy is purely for professional athletes but this is not the case. Although it was originally intended for relieving pain and preventing injuries in athletes, sports massage is now sought by gym-goers and even those looking for chronic low back pain treatment. The focus of sports massage is to prevent and heal injuries caused by certain activities. For instance, a person who constantly lifts weights might get a sports massage targeting the upper back and arms.

Deep tissue massage and sports massage share some similarities — locking and stretching the tissues and muscles, targeting trigger points to get rid of tension, and deep, slow kneading for fascial release. However, the latter is used more on sports physiotherapy to improve endurance and performance, reduce risk of injury, and shorten recovery time after an injury. So if you’re physically active, a sports-massage approach may be helpful to keep those muscles in their healthy condition.

When it comes to manual therapy Dubai physiotherapists will most likely include sports massage or deep tissue massage in their care plans. If you’re interested in the healing powers of massage, you can rely on the experts of Scandinavian Physiotherapy Center to guide you in choosing the best type of treatment for your needs. Call +971 4 551 6126 and book an appointment today!    

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Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage, Which One To Pick?

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