Sports massage Edmonton

The techniques overlap heavily. The difference is the plan: sports massage is timed and targeted around training and competition, and the pressure changes depending on whether you are preparing, recovering or maintaining. Deep tissue massage is about a persistent tight area regardless of what you are training for.

For a firm maintenance session, at least three to four days out, so any soreness has cleared. For a light pre-event flush, one or two days before. On the day itself, only light work, and only if you are used to it.

Not in the first few days, when the tissue is still healing and pressure can make things worse. After that, gentle work can help with stiffness while a physiotherapist guides the loading that actually rebuilds the muscle. If you think you have strained something, book the physiotherapy assessment first.

Many athletes report feeling less stiff and heavy after post-event massage, and there is some evidence it reduces delayed-onset muscle soreness and improves how people feel about their recovery. Evidence that it speeds up the underlying tissue repair is weaker. It is a reasonable part of a recovery routine, not a replacement for sleep, food and easy days.

It is billed as massage therapy by a registered massage therapist, so it falls under the massage benefit on most extended health plans. Team or club insurance sometimes covers it too. Direct billing is available where the plan allows it.

Yes, with a parent or guardian present for anyone under eighteen and with consent from both. Pressure and techniques are adjusted for age, and for growing athletes with heel, knee or hip pain a physiotherapy assessment is usually the more useful first step.