The Lighter Side of Sports Massage.

Today's guest blogger is Jill Winfield. You may have seen Jill at the front desk of the KAW Sports Massage Center or in the therapy room in the past year.  Jill holds a Bachelors of Science from Western Michigan University with the majority of her studies focused in the undergraduate Athletic Training Program.  This included classes in various therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, strength and conditioning, sports physiology, sports nutrition, functional anatomy, and evaluation skills.  Jill was trained in Massage Therapy at the Institute for Massage Therapy at KCHA, where many of the KAW staff also went to school.  


Often times, especially in a sports massage setting, you may expect your massage therapist to use deep pressure or aggressive stretching in order to help tight muscles relax.  However, this isn’t always necessary, and can potentially do more harm than good in some cases.  Certain light touch therapies like MFR (Myofascial Release), may actually be more effective than deep pressure in allowing your body to relax and restore balance.  Here are four common light touch modalities and a brief description of them:

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MFR can allow the connective tissues of the body to self-unwind through gentle stretching, releasing painful restrictions.

-MFR/Myofascial Release:  A lighter touch or more intense touch can be used with these techniques.  This allows the therapist to engage the fascia.  Fascia is the connective tissue which surrounds muscles and tendons that sometimes can cause referred pain when adhesion occurs.  MFR encourages these restrictions to loosen up and let go.  This therapy can be done fully clothed or undressed (to your level of comfort) as “usual”.  This can be a great option for those who are not comfortable being in a state of undress around another person.  

-CST/ Craniosacral Therapy:  The lightest touch therapy, this modality works to restore balance in your central nervous system: the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid.  CST can help bones and tissues move back into their proper place by facilitating a deep sense of relaxation allowing the body to find its own equilibrium.  CST can be done fully clothed or undressed (to your level of comfort) as “usual”.  Another great option for those who are not comfortable being in a state of undress in a therapeutic setting.  Read more about CST here!

-Lymphatic Drainage:  Swelling can be caused by lymph fluid building up in various areas, especially around joints and in the lower extremities.  Lymph filters waste products out of your circulatory system in addition to many of its other functions.  This system can become overwhelmed and not work as efficiently when an injury occurs or from chronic over-training. This technique gently facilitates the movement of lymphatic fluid to be recirculated throughout the body and requires a lighter touch to be most effective.  It is also one of the only massage modalities not contraindicated within the first 24 hours post injury.  Read more here!

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-Swedish/Full Body Relaxation:  It is one of the foundational styles of western massage and is taught to massage students in accredited programs across the US.  It gives you that freshly massaged, relaxed feeling.  Helps with many overall health concerns.  This can be done with a light touch, or a “heavier” touch, typically partially to fully undressed with modest draping and some sort of lubrication on the skin.  There are less contraindications for this style of massage than some of the other light and deep touch styles.


So why should you care about lighter touch modalities if you are an active person with lots of muscle tension and/or an injury?  Being “sneaky” with a softer approach can get to points of tension and adhesion in the body without turning on or activating pain receptors that cause guarding or additional tension.  If your body is used to fighting against pressure from the nature of your sport or strenuous lifestyle, it may also fight against pressure used during a massage making it feel like you need more and more pressure to find any relief, which may even lead to damaging soft tissue. Light touch techniques start working with your body to facilitate healing without having to “push through” a lot of pain to get the relaxation and therapeutic effect you are looking for.  Every technique and modality has a place in your therapist’s toolbox.  Check in with your LMT to see which light touch techniques may work best for you!