A sports massage focuses on enhancing circulation, increasing tissue elasticity and reducing muscle tension. Sports massage is also used to help relieve tight muscles. Muscle tightness can limit flexibility, increase pain and cause future injuries. Sports massage helps release muscle tightness.

Unlike deep tissue massages, a relaxation massage does not address the connective tissue of the muscles. It is not intended to treat sports injuries or other discomfort and is instead used to reduce muscle tension while bringing the body back to a relaxed state.