Sports Massage
Sports Massage is targeted bodywork and manual manipulation with the specific goal of improving athletic function. The practice of Sports Massage falls into 4 general categories:
Event Massage – given directly before, during, or after athletic activity. These are short and very specific sessions used to complement the athlete’s normal warm-up and cool-down routine. For example, during a soccer tournament a therapist can help the athlete loosen, warm and lubricate muscles prior to the first game; then between games, help keep the muscles flexible and ready; at the end, return muscles to resting length and tone, assist in venous return and lymphatic uptake and reduce potential for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Recovery Massage – usually performed a day or two after the event, a longer massage to assist in muscle recovery. For example a day or two after running a marathon, a trained sports massage therapist can help to stretch loosen and broaden connective tissue, reduce hypertonicity and spasm, improve flexibility and range of motion (ROM), decrease likelihood and effect of DOMS, identify functional issues related to patterns of use.
Maintenance Massage – these are regularly scheduled sessions designed to address chronic areas of tension related to the sport. Sessions encourage optimal performance and address potential problem areas as they arise. For example a tennis player who tends toward shoulder and elbow injuries can benefit from regular lengthening and smoothing of the muscles involved in their swing. Regular massage can help to prevent acute injuries that can take an athlete out of commission.
Rehabilitation Massage – clients who have developed injuries and are taking time to heal and rehabilitate will benefit from specific, targeted work. A rock climber who has had to take a break due to a shoulder impingement can benefit from massage techniques to release tension in the biceps femoris muscle and subscapularis muscles.
Of course many athletes do not have time to be full time athletes. The combination of long commutes and long days seated in front of computers can exacerbate or even cause sports injuries. Sports massage can be an extremely effective way to return your body to the form and function you desire.
Conditions treated include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Tendonitis
- Tension headaches
- Sprained joints
- Strained/Pulled muscles
- Sciatica (caused by tight muscles)
- Scar tissue impediments
- Neck pain
- Range of movement limitations
- Prenatal discomfort
- Postpartum recovery
Services offered:
- Deep tissue massage
- Lymphatic drainage
- Active release
- Trigger point release
- Assisted stretching
- Massage cupping
- Structural integration
- Gait analysis
- Myofascial release
- Assisted stretching
- Perinatal massage
Avid Sports Massage Therapists
Maury Argento, BS, CMT
Sports Massage Therapist
Maury is a Certified Massage Therapist and staff instructor at the San Francisco School of Massage. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Washington University. Post-college she served as an Army officer, training, among other duties, injured and rehabilitating soldiers, helping them return to duty. After completing her service, Maury worked in robotic medical devices where she honed her understanding of the mechanics of the human body. Since 2009, Maury has been supporting the athletic community of the Bay Area as a sports massage therapist, running, and soccer coach. In 2014, as many of her female clients began starting families, she obtained her certificate in perinatal massage to support them. She now has a thriving private practice working with a range of clients from Paralympians and marathoners to weekend warriors and bike commuters.
Our other specialties
Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Physicians are medical doctors with special training in preventing, diagnosing and treating issues and injuries that keep you from being active.
Athletic Training
Athletic Trainers are certified healthcare professional who specialize in sports medicine.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists are movement experts who help people improve and maintain function and achieve goals.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors are healthcare practitioners with specific training in the musculoskeletal system, the combination of our bones, muscles, and joints.