By Andrew Siyabalawatte, Oct 20, 2022
Sports Massage vs Deep Tissue
If you’re deciding between sports massage and deep tissue massage, understanding the difference is essential – especially if you’re dealing with muscle pain from exercise, recovering from an injury, or experiencing chronic tightness.
At our Guildford clinic, we use advanced soft tissue techniques, postural assessment, and injury-specific treatments to help clients recover faster and move better.
Here’s how these two popular massage styles compare.
Sports massage focuses on treating muscles, tendons and soft tissue affected by training, overuse, posture, and sports injuries.
It aims to reduce pain, restore movement, and improve athletic performance.
The Different Posture Massage Techniques used in Sports vs deep tissue
Petrissage (Muscle Kneading)
A core sports massage technique used to identify tight knots, improve circulation, and promote muscle relaxation.
It is highly effective for anyone experiencing tension from exercise or repetitive strain.
Petrissage posture massage video
Percussion / Tapotement
Quick, rhythmic tapping movements that stimulate circulation and help flush metabolic waste after workouts.
Ideal for warm-ups, recovery sessions, and reducing post-exercise soreness.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
A powerful stretching technique that increases flexibility and mobility.
Often used in sports rehabilitation to help athletes improve range of motion. One of the best ways to increase stretch in soft tissue, PNF stretching produces deeper stretches that increase flexibility. There are three types of PNF, with the most common being contract-relax (CR).
The Different Posture Massage Techniques used in Deep Tissue Massage
Whilst similar in technique to sports posture massage, the level of pressure administered is greater. Deep tissue massage aims to relieve severe tension and penetrate beyond the superficial muscles in posture massage. This approach is ideal for chronic injury and neck and back pain.
Deep Tissue Posture Massage Video
Friction
Applying pressure across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and heal tissue fibers (ligaments and tendons).
ART or active release treatment (ART)
It is a combination of assessment and treatment. A therapist will use his or her hands to assess the patients’ muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves to form a plan for treatment.
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
Similar to PNF, it stretches muscles that are prone to shortening, relaxes cramping muscles and strengthens muscles.
Trigger Point Therapy
This technique eases pain by employing a series of isolated pressure and release movements. Throughout the process, active patient involvement is encouraged, emphasizing deep breathing for enhanced effectiveness.
Sports vs deep posture massage
Which is Better?
This decision should be based on factors like health goals, physical activities, and any existing muscle or joint issues. Understanding these distinctions is key to tailoring the posture massage experience for individual wellness.
Optimal for relieving general pain and tension, a deep tissue posture massage is the best choice.
For those seeking treatment for injuries, especially repetitive sprains or strains in specific soft tissue and muscle areas, a posture massage is well-suited. This targeted therapeutic approach aims to address and alleviate issues associated with athletic performance and physical stress.
If you are not sure which type of posture massage you need, do no hesitate to get in touch or book with our soft tissue specialists here at Back To Health Wellness, we will be happy to guide you in the right direction.