Over the past ten years it has become more common to find massage therapists treating athletes using massage therapy. The therapeutic advantage of massage not only eases the pain in sore muscles, but actually strengthens an athlete prior to a game or event. It is not uncommon for professional athletes to have their own personal massage therapist.

There are many different massage therapy techniques used to treat athletes. Many therapists use deep tissue massage to treat athletes who are injured. Deep tissue massage is often used as relief for injured muscles. In order to perform a deep tissue massage a therapist must use either the fingers, thumbs or even the elbows to get into the grain of the muscles. In order to practice a deep tissue massage, a therapist must be thoroughly trained as if not done properly; it can cause additional pain or injury. This type of massage is very effective as it works beneath the surface muscles and is a popular method for relieving not only injuries, but also chronic pain and even inflammation.

Implementing various different sports massage techniques and stretches to your program will greatly enhance your ability to work with athletes. Deep tissue massage is just one, some of my favorites are trigger point therapy cross fiber friction, muscle stripping techniques, active release techniques and PNF stretches. Learn these massage technques and watch your business grow.

To prepare an athlete, a massage therapist will concentrate on the muscles most often used. By using various sports massage therapy techniques, the muscles are relaxed. Being tense will make an injury worse. It is the reason why so many drunk drivers walk away from car accidents while those they hit die. It is because the driver was completely relaxed. The muscles were relaxed. It works the same way with an athlete. 

An athlete who goes into a game with muscles that are relaxed and toned is in much better condition to avoid greater injury to those muscles if they are tense. This is why so many athletes use the benefits of massage treatments, such as relaxing spa treatments, prior to sporting events. 

A good massage therapist can have a thriving practice in the field of sports medicine if he or she is well versed in treating athletes. They must have complete knowledge of the anatomical structure of the human body and need to know which muscles are most prone to strain and injury. They not only need to know how to relieve the pain from injury, but also to prepare an athlete so that he or she does not get a greater injury. Sports massage techniques include both deep tissue massage and a variety of relaxing massages and stretching techniques. While a physical trainer works with an athlete to improve his or her skills on the field, the therapist works with the body of the athlete to prepare the body for the exertion it will soon endure.

Treating athletes using massage therapy is very common and has been practiced for years. Without the massage techniques performed prior to the game, the athlete may not be able to sustain the beatings that some of their bodies take during a sports competition such as football. This is a growing field and very prosperous for a person who is willing to learn the proper techniques.

How to massage when a person wants a deep tissue massage

1. Don't kill them: One of the most common mistakes i see from massage therapists when they are asked to give a deep tissue massage is that they think they have to go as hard as they can for the person and lietrally crush them. They tend to think that if the person is tensing up under their pressure and whincing in pain then they are doing a good job. The thing is, 99% percent of people who want a deep tissue massage are only asking this because they don't want a pathetic 'skin polish' light massage which is so commonly given at spas and beauty centers. The person doesnt want to be killed and feel like they have been beaten from head to toe, they just want to feel that they have had a massage that has got into the areas of tension and relased those areas. Therefore, use your forearms and elbows to work the areas but to the level which the person feels that 'happy pain' but no more.

2. Don't Kill Yourself: This is another very common mistake by massage therapists which can leave a therapist injured. Only put as much pressure as you can and no more. If your client is asking for more pressure but you physically cant do it then say sorry but that is as hard as you can do. Do not kill yourself by trying to please your client as put more pressure than you are capable of, you will only get hurt.

3.Lower the Table: If your table is too high it will make it very difficult to put pressure into your massage. Adjust your table lower and that way you will be able to exert more pressure without straining yourself. This does not only refer to deep tissue massages but all of your massages. If your table is too high(which again is a common mistake made by many therapists) it will be difficult on your shoulders and lead to injuries very quickly. Lower your table and use good posture by bending at the hips not rounding your lower back (which leads to you having lower back problems very quickly), and use your body weight to aplly the pressure not muscular effort(as i have mentioned many times before).

Don't use too much oil/cream: If you use too much oil or cream it will make the person too slippery and this will make it more difficult to apply good controlled pressure . Use less oil or cream and you will be able to apply more pressure safely and controlled.

Use your big parts of your body not the small ones: Here is another very common mistake by massage therapists when doing not only deep tissue massages but also relaxation massages. When i am doing massages, whether its a deep tissue, sports or relaxation massage i use my thumbs very little. The thumbs do not have the strength to do a lot of massage for hours without suffering and getting strained and/or inflamed. You probably already know of massage therapists who have problems with their thumbs hurting. Dont rely on your thumbs to do a lot of pressure work for you or you will find that you too will have problems once you start doing lots of massages. You need to start using your forearms, elbows and perhaps even soft fists to give a person a great massage. This is not only better for you but feels a hundred times better for your clients. This is another very common mistake by massage therapists which can leave a therapist injured. Only put as much pressure as you can and no more. If your client is asking for more pressure but you physically cant do it then say sorry but that is as hard as you can do. Do not kill yourself by trying to please your client as put more pressure than you are capable of, you will only get hurt.

A good and effective deep tissue massage involves the use of firm pressure and slower strokes on the contracted area of the body; this can be accomplished by the use of your hands, fingers, knuckles, elbows, and forearm, in order to stimulate the muscles and body tissues below the surface level.

An experience massage therapist will focus on certain areas of the body; those areas are referred to as trigger points in your body. These trigger points are known to hold the most stress, and by working these trigger points your body can begin to relax much more easily. During the message there will be some discomfort and pain due to the tightness of the muscle therefore pain will be felt, deep breaths can help control the pain, it is important that you inform the therapist if the pain is unbearable. At the end of the session ice can be applied to the area to help reduce the stiffness and sooth the body. You will more than likely to be a bit sore which is to be expected, but it will subside usually within a day.

If your life is fast paced and stressful I would recommend that you treat yourself to a deep tissue massage at least once a month, and more often if you need it or you see fit.

Tips

·     Do not eat a heavy meal before having a message.

·     Arrive a few minutes earlier in order for you to wind down and relax so you can benefit more from the message.

·     If pregnant check with your doctor before having a deep tissue message

Deep tissue massage therapy is a therapeutic massage, which can relieve the pain and discomfort caused by specific medical problems, for example:
• Muscle spasm
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sports related injuries
• Mobility problems

The technique itself is a massage to realign the deep muscle layers and connecting tissues. It can cause some discomfort, but this usually fades within 24 hours.

Deep tissue massage is a very slow massage technique, which works to ease the pain and tension caused by stiff muscle tissue in and around tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Stiff muscle tissue can be a contributing factor in joint pain and inflammation, but a trained therapist can use deep tissue massage to bring back normal movement to the joint.

Other massage techniques can be used to aid relaxation, but deep tissue massage techniques are more intense with slower, deeper pressure placed on the problem areas. This deep massage compresses the muscles, and uses friction to increase blood flow. It is an extremely effective method of pain relief, and although it can initially be slightly uncomfortable, it should never be so uncomfortable that it actually hurts.

Guidelines for People Having a Deep Tissue Massage

Before having a massage treatment only eat light meals, and drink water afterwards to flush excess waste from the muscle tissues. Relax as much as possible before and during the treatment, as the treatment will focus on tense areas. Arrive early for the appointment to make sure that there is sufficient time for the therapist to take all details, and also to allow for a small rest prior to the massage.

Do not be concerned, as it is normal for the massage therapist to use their elbows, fingers, and hands to carry out the massage. Breathe normally during the treatment as this assists in loosening up the stiff muscle tissues.

When it is Not Recommended to have a Deep Tissue Massage

There are occasions where a deep tissue massage would not be recommended, such as:
• When pregnant
• If a person has osteoporosis
• Immediately following an operation
• If a person has heart disease
• If the joint has recently been fractured / broken
• If a person has an infection or rash
• If the person is suffering from a hernia or tumor
• If the area to be treated involves open wounds or bruising

Deep tissue massage has been proven to be more effective in giving pain relief than some prescription medication, acupuncture, exercise, or physiotherapy, and usually the improvements can be noticed immediately after treatment.