Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a physical treatment primarily used by massage therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and osteopathic physicians to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.

Some notable forms of manual therapy are stretching, mobilization and sports massage. Stretching is often utilized to enhance the performance of athletes. Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of articular and soft-tissue (myofascial) stretching intended to improve bio-mechanical elasticity. Sports massage is typically the repetitive rubbing, stripping or kneading of myofascial tissues to principally improve interstitial fluid dynamics.

Manual therapy can be defined differently (according to the profession describing it for legal purposes) to state what is permitted within a practitioners scope of practice. Within the physical therapy profession, manual therapy is defined as a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the physical 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.

Types of Sports Massages Offered

• Maintenance Massage: performed regularly to maintain the function of the muscles following regular exercise.
• Pre-Event Massage: massage prior to a sporting activity or event to enhance performance.
• Inter-Event Massage: is administered during the event (think between heats) to remove the build up of toxins formed during strenuous activity and promotes endurance. 
• Post-Event Massage: eliminates toxins which cause soreness and speeds recovery three times faster then rest alone.

Benefits of Sports Massage

1. Maintain your entire body in better physical condition.
2. Prevent injuries and loss of mobility in potential trouble spots.
3. Boots athletic performance and endurance extending your athletic life span.
4. Restore mobility and circulation to injured muscle tissue.
5. Extend both the good health and the overall life of your athletic "career".
6. Gives you an extra chance to reach your athletic goals.