Role of Sports massage in Physiotherapy

Sports massage is a specialized technique combining deep tissue massage, trigger‑point release, and stretching, designed to treat and prevent injuries, enhance athletic performance, and optimize physical activities in our daily lives, for athletes and non‑athletes alike.

Musculoskeletal injuries—such as neck and low back pain, shoulder impingement, knee and ankle sprains, and tennis or golfer’s elbow—are common conditions that Sports massage can help address by reducing pain and restoring function.

Various sports—like running, football, padel tennis, and fitness training such as HYROX, CrossFit, or simple weight lifting—are highly susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries, and even people with sedentary lifestyles or in obese populations face increased risk considering the significant time spent sitting, which Sports massage can help mitigate.

Long periods at work, watching TV, and playing video games can lead to muscle weakness and imbalances, which can eventually result in injuries once you resume physical activities.

Benefits of Sports massage:

• Relieves muscle pain, stiffness, and tension — promoting comfort between training sessions.

• Aids muscle recovery and reduces soreness after a workout — helping you return to activity sooner.

• Improves posture by addressing muscle imbalances — supporting healthier movement patterns.

• Enhances performance by improving flexibility and optimizing muscle contraction — so you move more efficiently with a lower risk of injury.

Sports massage is part of manual therapy used by physiotherapists, in addition to manipulation, exercises, and different modalities, to increase efficiency in our practice — integrating these methods ensures more comprehensive care and better outcomes.

Rommel Antonio

Physiotherapist

Rommel is a physiotherapist specialising in manual therapy, corrective exercise, dry needling and joint manipulation. Rommel graduated as a physiotherapist in 1997, and has been working as a physiotherapist in Dubai for 18 years. Rommel has a keen interest in sports injuries, treating conditions such as knee pain, back pain and shoulder pain, and also works with general issues such as posture, desk based workers and everything in between.

Rommel has worked with Gulf United Football Club, in the first division of the UAE domestic football league and works with the UAE padel tennis national team.