Niel Asher Education
Sports Massage Principles for Performance and Recovery

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Niel Asher Education

Sports Massage Principles for Performance and Recovery

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • How to perform targeted sports massage techniques to address soft-tissue dysfunction and athletic overuse injuries

  • How to integrate advanced massage methods into injury-management and performance-enhancement strategies

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

December 2025

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Sports Massage Therapist Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Module 1 introduces you to the foundations of sports massage for soft-tissue injury care. You’ll learn the clinical reasoning process that guides effective treatment: understanding client history, identifying signs and symptoms, reviewing anatomy, performing orthopedic and special tests, palpation, and treatment planning.

What's included

11 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

This module focuses on lower-extremity conditions frequently seen in active individuals and athletes, such as Achilles tendinopathy, chronic ankle sprain, fibularis tendinopathy, hamstring strain, adductor strain, and patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee).You will observe real assessment sequences, including visual inspection, functional movement testing, and techniques such as deep transverse friction, longitudinal stripping, compressive effleurage, petrissage, and facilitated stretching. Bob McAtee demonstrates how to integrate manual therapy with client education, self-care suggestions, and exercise recommendations. The goal is not just symptom relief, but encouraging lasting functional improvement.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

This module focuses on soft-tissue injuries of the upper extremity and builds on the clinical framework introduced previously. Bob McAtee demonstrates observation, palpation, shoulder girdle assessment, active/passive ROM, resistive tests, and condition-specific orthopedic testing. You’ll learn to evaluate and treat common upper-body complaints such as rotator-cuff tendinopathy, impingement syndromes, supraspinatus injury, and dysfunction related to muscular imbalance and postural patterns. Treatment demonstrations include stripping, friction work, facilitated stretching, and contract-relax techniques, always applied within tissue tolerance and supported by clear client communication. Special attention is placed on identifying painful arcs of motion, differentiating contractile vs. non-contractile structures, and determining when pain/weakness indicates supraspinatus involvement. This module emphasizes that sports massage for injury care is not just technique — it is assessment-driven, outcome-focused clinical decision making.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.

What's included

1 assignment

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Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Niel Asher Education
Niel Asher Education
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