Sport massage therapy is a physical treatment primarily used by massage therapists to treat musculature pain and disability. It most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.
The three most notable forms of manual ports massage therapy are manipulation, mobilization and massage. Manipulation is the artful introduction of a rapid rotational, sheer or distraction force into an articulation. Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of articular and soft-tissue stretching intended to improve bio-mechanical elasticity. Sport massage is typically the repetitive rubbing, stripping or kneading of myofascial tissues to principally improve interstitial fluid dynamics.
Sport massage may be used by the massage therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function.