What is the difference between sports massage and deep tissue?

Firstly, it’s easier to talk about the similarities because sports massage and deep tissue use similar strokes, including kneading, circular movements, tapping and vibrations. Sports massage uses similar methods of manipulating the skin, but is more focused on sports-related areas of pain.

Massage is an integral part of the new athletic regimen, but what’s important is that you get the right massage for your needs rather than specifically being hung up on booking a sports massage. Essential Feeling are highly qualified in a number of techniques that they’ll combine to design a specific programme that enhances your performance by looking at your needs as an individual.

The muscle system is a key part of a quality massage therapist’s training and so they understand what’s the right bodywork for your physical issues and personal goals.

Sports massage is a category of massage therapy that applies deep tissue techniques and soft tissue release, meaning that it uses deep pressure to break down your sticky muscle fibres so they can reheal.

Sports massage simply works on your problem areas. Deep tissue massage concentrates on the area and those surrounding it because it treats your body as a complete entity where one muscle connects to the next.

As Essential Feeling offers a wide range of massage services, and we charge by the hour, rather than the type of massage, you don’t need to get hung up on the different styles. When you come to us, you’ll know that you will receive a massage that will sort out your issues.

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Do I need a sports massage?

If you’re active people, even if you don’t consider yourself an athlete, then a massage is a great idea, however the type very much depends on where you are within your training cycle. We’d always recommend incorporating a massage into your training schedule because it helps you to heal, train harder, and prevent injury.

If you’re completely new to massage, then don’t expect to have any deep tissue work down any closer to a big event than a few weeks.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from a pre-race rubdown in the seven to two-day window prior to an event, but the pressure will vary.

If you have a massage within 48 hours of your event, then you risk going into it feeling sore. After your event, you can have a massage anything from a few hours post to 48 hours to speed up your muscle recovery.

We can use different massage techniques throughout your season, for example, you could have one style in your season recovery stage, and another in the middle of your training programme to improve your performance.

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