Sports Massage vs Deep Tissue Therapy, Which Is Better For You?
Most of us have either heard stories about massage or in this particular instance, sports massage & how it can be extremely painful (we've heard a lot of them at least), that this will serve as an official guide to recovery with sports massages in Singapore, & what it actually means, when done the right way. With confusing you less when you read soft tissue massage sports, or deep connective tissue treatment & so on.
Sports massage | Deep tissue therapy
- Do sports massage work?
- What is the difference between sports and deep tissue massage?
- When should you get a sports massage?
- What's the difference between sports massage and normal massage?
- Why is Sports Massage always painful?
If you, like most people who are looking for sports massage, the first thing you think of is a *masseuse giving you a deep tissue massage, but it's far from that. How many you looking to get a massage, have a form of injury on your body & think any massage would do. Not all massage treatment is given equal. Massage can help not only athletes but anyone to recover from common variety of physical injury to the body which could range from
A sports massage service is performed by a qualified individual who has taken an additional course of study specialising to improve recovery or ease muscle tension by manual therapy. Typically, sports massage is done by either:
*a masseuse in Singapore is not commonly used, but closely links to a massage therapist in a spa setting, not a clinic where people just come for a general massage for relaxation or leisure (think aromatherapy massage).
A sports massage service is performed by a qualified individual who has taken an additional course of study specialising to improve recovery or ease muscle tension by manual therapy. Typically, sports massage is done by either:
- Sports therapist (studied outside of Singapore)
- Physiotherapist (may have studied outside of Singapore)
- Sports Medicine trainer/ therapist (may have studied outside of Singapore)
- Massage therapist (most courses done in Singapore)
- Sports Massage therapist (most courses done in Singapore / overseas)
- Personal trainers (most courses done in Singapore)
- Strength coaches (additional courses are done online)
- Athletic trainers (studied only outside of Singapore)
- Osteopaths (studied outside of Singapore)
*a masseuse in Singapore is not commonly used, but closely links to a massage therapist in a spa setting, not a clinic where people just come for a general massage for relaxation or leisure (think aromatherapy massage).
Do sports massage work?
Massage works through the conscious effort of a trained therapist's touch & manipulation of the cutaneous (skin) system. In a research published by Swedish researchers, they identified that the skin is neurologically rich in nerve endings( 10,000 of them per square cm) complex & probably has many physiological effects when touched or stroked in certain speed or manner (so yes, they work). Sports massage is also based on the core concepts/theory that by manipulating the muscle tissues, it would bring fresh oxygenated blood flow (increased blood circulation) & nutrients into the area of interest, decreasing soreness, thus, improving recovery, movement, & also decreasing pain & inflammation (basic physiological science). This also allows affected area to clear off any lactic acid (or toxin) from the muscles, reducing pain & swelling that's often associated with high- intensity workouts.
A non-exhaustive list of examples of what sports massage services (treatment) / sports massage therapist can help with, reducing pain & in improving specific conditions or body parts which may include:
A non-exhaustive list of examples of what sports massage services (treatment) / sports massage therapist can help with, reducing pain & in improving specific conditions or body parts which may include:
- Tennis elbow
- Joint pain
- Neck aches
- Hip pain
- Shoulders
- Hands
- Muscle tightness
- Reduced range of motion due to injury or scar tissue
- Lower back pain
- Inflammation
- Cramps
- Scoliosis
- Professional athlete performance
- Pregnancy
- Trigger point release
- Recovery of muscles
- Range of motion
- Tension related to stress
- & so on.
What is the comparison between sports vs deep tissue massage?
The criteria for any sports solutions are two to three fold, to seeing improvement(s), to either add in variability in your strength & conditioning training, to add massage therapy, or a combination of both. Most of the techniques applied during sports massage are within the moderate-fast motion. Sports massage is a technique or method which is primarily used to help a series of improvements which may include sports performance (soft tissue recovery), the preparation leading to a sporting event, & or injury prevention.
On the other end, services like deep tissue massage practice is typically used for releasing of trigger points or also known as "knots", & typically done within the slow- moderate speed. Deep tissue massage is akin towards a more structural bodywork approach, which aims to help individuals with the alignment of body(posture), the fatigue of muscles, dysfunctional movements, previous areas of injuries, or neck pain caused by stiffness, & may include joints stretches. The end results & goal of deep tissue massage are different in each situation.
On the other end, services like deep tissue massage practice is typically used for releasing of trigger points or also known as "knots", & typically done within the slow- moderate speed. Deep tissue massage is akin towards a more structural bodywork approach, which aims to help individuals with the alignment of body(posture), the fatigue of muscles, dysfunctional movements, previous areas of injuries, or neck pain caused by stiffness, & may include joints stretches. The end results & goal of deep tissue massage are different in each situation.
What's the comparison between sports massage vs normal massage?
Typically in Singapore, there are many collaboration between sports massage therapist & doctors, physio, chiropractor, etc. This usually is to help complement the treatment & increase clinical outcome for a patient. While a sports massage works out any kinks in your body following training sessions, a normal massage is a pure indulgence based, to just lay down & be pampered.
When should you get a sports massage?
In Singapore it used to be more accessible to only athletes (because of price & funding from professional sporting bodies), but luckily for you, nowadays, anyone who needs their shoulder, or hips worked on, you can just call & make an appointment. While a desirable frequency is about once a week, according to physioactive, you need to see the level of physical activity, type & frequency of workout/exercise, types of sport, pains, time, & so on. One thing to note of is that anyone including athletes who's training frequently & putting their body under regular high tensional load, needs a regular massage especially if you are want to recover fast.
Here are some related ways you can maximise your visits & not waste it:
Women who are pregnant should seek medical doctors for advice before going for any type of massage. This helps to lower risks associated with your health.
Here are some related ways you can maximise your visits & not waste it:
- 1-2 times every 2 weeks to help with flexibility
- If an athlete, plan & structure massage sessions after workouts or aid recovery of muscles
- Sporting events, do them before (pre- game) & after event to reduce soreness & injury
- Acute muscle strain (make sure to get referral by physio)
- Once a week for neck ache issue
- Once a week for 6 weeks total for Chronic Lower Back problems/ issues
- 1-2 times a week for whole body muscle recovery from high training frequency
Women who are pregnant should seek medical doctors for advice before going for any type of massage. This helps to lower risks associated with your health.
Why is Sports Massage always painful?
Generally with sports massage, the can be a little bit of discomfort as the therapist works the different layers of the tissues working from superficial to the deeper levels & structures of the body. A common perception of services like sports massage session is that it has to be painful in order to elicit any therapeutic gain or benefits from it. However, it's untrue that any sports massage session should usually be painful. Even so in the case that no two bodies are really the same & that everyone has a different pain threshold, clients should feedback instantly to the therapist to either increase or reduce pressure. This helps to build a relationship based on your feedback & pressure they place on your muscle tissue, & can result in you having a deep rest to rejuvenate after.
One of the key problems in Singapore is that when poorly educated massage therapists sees a client they don't know better to follow guidelines accordingly with current pain science, thus many clients/patients go through the stress of an excruciating painful massage that creates more injury than the healing of the muscles/body. Keep in mind that the lack of information & knowledge (for therapists)to reducing pain is left by chance with little or symptomatic relief to no change in the condition you came in for. If you have had a bad previous relationship with the therapists, now you know why.
Don't be surprised to learn that in Singapore, there aren't many formally taught massage therapists that are qualified enough to offer the services, yet they can be found in a variety of boutique gyms, chiro, & even physiotherapy clinics islandwide. Luck for you, we have only highly trained & experienced manual therapists at MSMC. If in doubt about anything, ask questions guys. Check testimonials, or ask your family, friends what they think of the places & if anyone's had issues with their therapists before.
One of the key problems in Singapore is that when poorly educated massage therapists sees a client they don't know better to follow guidelines accordingly with current pain science, thus many clients/patients go through the stress of an excruciating painful massage that creates more injury than the healing of the muscles/body. Keep in mind that the lack of information & knowledge (for therapists)to reducing pain is left by chance with little or symptomatic relief to no change in the condition you came in for. If you have had a bad previous relationship with the therapists, now you know why.
Don't be surprised to learn that in Singapore, there aren't many formally taught massage therapists that are qualified enough to offer the services, yet they can be found in a variety of boutique gyms, chiro, & even physiotherapy clinics islandwide. Luck for you, we have only highly trained & experienced manual therapists at MSMC. If in doubt about anything, ask questions guys. Check testimonials, or ask your family, friends what they think of the places & if anyone's had issues with their therapists before.
When you're ready to experience painless sports massage or deep tissue therapy, make your bookings today.