Which will you choose between sports massage vs deep tissue massage when it comes to alleviating pain and stress? You may have heard of both therapeutic massages when you visit a specialist. Some information shows that they are almost the same, but some find their differences a bit more understandable.

Sports massage vs deep tissue massage

Their similarities

Both therapeutic massages promote relaxation and reduction of tension. As a matter of fact, sports massage use techniques that are also used in deep tissue massage, and it actually came from the same discipline and theory. They have one goal, and that is to alleviate the pain a patient feels from pressure and stress.

Their differences

While both massages are relaxing, their objectives, techniques, and types of patients differ.

Their main objective. If you want to ‘reduce the toxins in your body’ and free yourself from persistent pain, deep tissue massage is the therapy for you. The build-up of stress in your body can easily be kneaded away from your legs, back, shoulders, and other areas of the body. On the other hand, sports massage focus on the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports.

Their patients. Anyone can have a deep tissue massage, it is like a type of massage that clients request in salons, spas, or even the comforts of their own home. On the other hand, sports massage is dedicated only to athletes. Sports massage can be used before a game or event to prevent sprains and cramps, or after the game to cool down or to relax tense muscles.

Their techniques. Actually, techniques like pressure and strokes are no different, but the type of clients make their techniques differ. Since athletes are more prone to injuries, there are more shallow and gentle strokes performed on them. Meanwhile, deep tissue massage uses circular movements, deep kneading, tapping and vibrations to help loosen up muscles in the body.