SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

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What is Sports Massage Therapy?

Sports massage therapy is a specialized massage technique designed to cater to the needs of athletes. Unlike regular massage therapy, sports massage focuses on the areas of the body that are most affected by physical activity, such as the legs, shoulders, and back. This type of massage combines traditional massage techniques with active myofascial release to help athletes restore balance and maintain their health.

During a sports massage therapy session, the individual is typically clothed, and the massage therapist focuses on commonly used muscle groups to improve blood circulation, oxygenation, muscle tone, flexibility, and range of motion. By releasing tight muscles and fascia, active myofascial release enables athletes to move more freely, with greater strength and flexibility, while reducing muscular fatigue and recovery time.

Overall, sports massage therapy is an excellent way to support the body's natural healing process and enhance athletic performance.

How Can You Benefit from Sports Massage Therapy?

Sports massage therapy can provide a wide range of benefits for the body and mind. Some of the key benefits of sports massage therapy include:

Improved range of motion and flexibility
Increased blood circulation and lymph movement
Reduced muscle tension and stiffness
Promotion of soft tissue injury healing
Relief from muscle and related conditions (e.g. spasms, strains, sprains)
Improvement of posture and tension patterns
Prevention of repetitive strain injury
Assistance with post-workout recovery

Why Choose Our Massage Therapists?

1 Our Massage Therapists spend the extra time and care to get to know you and listen to your concerns and goals.

2 We take a look at the body as a whole to see where the root cause of the problem is and tailor our treatments to give the best results.

3 All of our Massage Therapists participate in on-going monthly training to enhance their skills and knowledge so they will always be at the top of their game for your treatments.

4 You can count on us to always have your best interest at heart. Your goals are our goals. We love to work together to help you hit that.

How does your Massage Appointment start?

Assessment

When you book a massage appointment at Nexus Massage and Rehab, you'll begin with an assessment conducted by a registered massage therapist (RMT). The assessment is designed to help your RMT better understand your condition or any changes to your condition, allowing for a more effective and tailored treatment plan.

During the assessment, your RMT may conduct a verbal consultation to gather information about your medical history, any current symptoms or concerns, and your goals for the massage therapy session.

Additionally, your RMT may perform a series of orthopaedic or range of motion tests to evaluate your current condition and monitor any improvements over time.

Overall, the assessment helps your RMT create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, helping you get the most out of your massage therapy sessions at Nexus Massage and Rehab.

Three Types of Sports Massage Therapy

Prevention/Pre-Game Massage

This is typically performed onsite at the sporting event and right before competition or performance. The aim of this type of massage is to prime the muscles specific to the sport and improve their function. It helps to reduce the risk of injury, increase flexibility, and improve overall performance. This type of massage is not offered in clinics and is usually only available to athletes on-site.

Relaxation/Flush down Massage

This is usually performed 3-4 days before competition or performance. The goal of this massage is to flush out lactic acid, promote blood flow, and calm the mind. This type of massage is beneficial for reducing muscle tension and anxiety, and preparing the body for competition.

Recovery Massage

This is performed between training or sporting events. The focus is on decreasing muscle tension and pain, maintaining mobility, and enhancing recovery. This type of massage helps to reduce muscle soreness, prevent injuries, and improve overall performance.

SPORTS MASSAGE
THERAPY

Initial Assessment - $120
30 Min Session - $85 + HST
45 Min Session - $100 + HST

Modalities

Cupping

Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that helps increase blood flow, and relieve muscles tension by applying suction to an area of the body. The suction draws stagnant blood to the surface of the skin for better reabsorption from the body to promote better healing. It lifts up tissues, creating more movement between the layers and allows for better blood flow. It is common to have red or dark purple circle marks after treatment. This can last up to one week.

Taping

Kinesiotaping (K-Tape) is a thin cotton tape with acrylic adhesive that is used in acute, chronic or sports injuries. K-Taping enhances the natural healing process of your body. It can help support and stabilize muscles and joints as well as decrease edema and inflammation.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) technique uses a tool to achieve soft tissue mobility, breaks down scar tissues and increase fascial movement and blood circulation in the body. It is normal to experience some bruising and redness after treatment our Registered Massage Therapists treatment. This technique works great to decrease chronic muscle tension that is more difficult to release through manual massage techniques.

Medical / Contemporary Acupuncture

Our registered massage therapists use medical acupuncture to stimulate blood flow and promote tissue healing by inserting fine needles into specific neurofunctional sites, either manually or with electricity. This versatile treatment can address a range of physical issues, including headaches, neck pain, low back pain, frozen shoulder, knee arthritis, hip pain, muscle tension and more.

With its ability to promote healing and provide relief from a variety of conditions, acupuncture is an excellent complement to massage therapy, helping to enhance overall wellness and promote a healthy, active lifestyle.

Are you ready to improve your health? Book your Massage Today

Meet our Registered Massage Therapists

Cassandra Kong

I love bringing great energy to my sessions and working together with my patients to form their treatment plan. I believe that understanding the root cause of the problem is important for preventative care as well as our treatment direction. I work towards bringing you back to doing the things you love, pain-free.

Dr. Felix Chu

I pride myself in providing patient-centred care for my patients. This involves creating a treatment program that is individually tailored towards my patients’ needs, preferences, and values. My foundation as a registered social worker allows me to understand my patients’ challenges through a holistic perspective by recognizing not only physical obstacles, but also emotional and psychological hurdles. This integrative viewpoint enables me to better help my patients achieve optimal health and a higher quality of life.

What are people saying about our RMT's?

Frequently Answered Questions about Sports Massage Therapy

Is Massage Therapy a regulated health profession?

The practice of massage therapy is regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and is therefore a Regulated Health Profession. Only individuals who have completed the requisite training and have met the strict competency requirements of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) can call themselves a "Massage Therapist" or a "Registered Massage Therapist".

Does massage therapy hurt?

As with many treatments affecting the soft tissue, there are times when massage therapy can cause some discomfort, but it is not harmful. Massage therapy relieves muscle tension by stimulating the natural healing response of the body. By bringing blood flow and circulation to the area, we are causing inflammation to start the healing process. Pain can be felt during a massage as we are manipulating the tissue to start the initial tissue repair.

If you feel discomfort during a massage, it is likely because the area being massaged is tight. If at any point, you find the pressure to be too much for you, please let your therapist know and they will modify the pressure to your liking. You can also stop or change the treatment at any time.

Is it normal to be sore after a massage therapy session?

After a massage therapy treatment, it is normal to be sore for 1-3 days. This is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). This usually feel like sore muscles after a hard workout at the gym.

This is the time your muscles are repairing themselves. With increased blood flow and inflammation to the area, your muscles can feel sore.

How many visits will I need?

The number of treatments will vary depending on the problem and individual. After a thorough treatment, your massage therapist will help you establish a program that fits your physical needs and lifestyle. We are most interested in your recovery and in the maintenance of your health. Any recommendation for further treatment is being made by a qualified health professional and is made with your utmost care in mind.

How long should I book for a Massage at Nexus Massage and Rehab?

The duration of your appointment depends on what your goals is, how complicated it is to treat and how your body responds to treatment. An average massage duration is 60 minutes, but it can be more or less depending on each person.

Your RMT at Nexus Clinic will let you know how long and how often your treatments should be for optimal effectiveness.

Do I have to be referred by a doctor to get massage therapy treatments?

No, Massage Therapists can assess and treat without referral by a doctor. However some health insurers require a doctor’s referral before they authorise cover of fees, some only require a phone call. Please check with your insurance company as all insurance companies / insurance plans are different.

Is sports massage therapy covered under insurance benefits?

Yes. Sports massage therapy is a type of massage that is performed by fully licensed registered massage therapists. As such, it is covered under benefits that include registered massage therapy. However, it is always recommended to check with your specific insurance provider to confirm coverage details.

What to expect during your Sports Massage treatment

At Nexus Clinic, we prioritize understanding your condition to provide you with effective treatment. This begins with an assessment by your RMT, which may include a verbal consultation and a series of orthopaedic tests.

For your sports massage therapy session, we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing such as shorts, tank top, or a sports bra, or stretchy athletic-wear. This will allow for ease of movement and optimal treatment.

How is sports massage therapy different from regular massage therapy?

Sports massage therapy differs from regular massage therapy as it is specifically designed to target the areas of the body most affected by the athlete's sport. Combining traditional massage techniques with active myofascial release, this therapy aims to restore balance and promote health. The massage is performed on a clothed individual and may involve additional treatment tools like cupping, acupuncture, or therapeutic exercises.

At Nexus Massage & Rehab, we offer two types of in-clinic sports massage therapy to meet the athlete's needs:

Relaxation/Flush down Massage: This massage is administered 3-4 days before a competition/performance to flush out lactic acid, promote blood flow, calm the mind, and prepare the body for optimal performance.

Recovery Massage: This massage is administered between training/sporting events to reduce muscle tension and pain, maintain mobility, and facilitate recovery.