A specialized form of massage therapy aimed at athletes and active individuals. Its primary purpose is to enhance athletic performance, prevent injuries, and aid in the recovery process. Sports massage techniques focus on the muscles most used during a specific sport or physical activity, often incorporating a blend of deep tissue massage, stretching, and other therapeutic techniques. The massage can be tailored for different phases of training, including pre-event, post-event, and maintenance phases, each with specific goals such as warming up muscles, reducing muscle soreness, or facilitating recovery.

One key aspect of sports massage is its emphasis on improving flexibility, reducing muscle tension, and boosting circulation, which collectively help athletes recover faster from strenuous activities. Techniques used in sports massage can include effleurage (long, gliding strokes), petrissage (kneading and squeezing), friction (deep circular movements), and trigger point therapy to address knots and areas of muscle tightness.

The primary difference between sports massage and other types of massage lies in its focus and techniques. Sports massage is tailored to the needs of athletes, aiming to improve performance, prevent injuries, and expedite recovery. It often involves a combination of various massage techniques, including those used in deep tissue massage, but is specifically adjusted based on the athlete's sport and current physical condition.

Deep tissue massage, on the other hand, is more focused on addressing severe muscle tension and chronic pain, applicable to a broader audience beyond just athletes. While both sports and deep tissue massages can be intense and target deeper muscle layers, their goals and application methods differ significantly.

In summary, while sports massage and deep tissue massage share some techniques, they cater to different needs—sports massage is athlete-centric with a performance and recovery focus, whereas deep tissue massage is a more generalized therapy aimed at alleviating chronic muscle tension and pain.