Sports massage is an important part of training for both the competitive athlete and the weekend warrior. Before an event, it helps prevent injury by keeping muscles mobile and elastic. After an event, your recovery time from a sports-related injury will be shortened since massage helps oxygen and nutrients flow, flushing out toxins in muscles that have been worked hard during rigorous exercise. Your therapist will use deep tissue strokes as well as stretching and active or passive movement of the joints during this type of massage. Sports massage differs from Swedish massage in that it focuses on target muscle areas used in a sporting event using strokes that either stimulate or sedate depending upon the goal of the session.