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Sports Massage:
A Clinical Reasoning Approach

A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS MASSAGE FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS

CREATED AND INSTRUCTED BY
MATTHEW GAVZY, PTA, LMT, BCTMB


In-person, Hands-On
7 CEs
NCBTMB Approved

Course Date/Time

Tuesday, November 10th
9am to 5pm

Location

Massage Mastery Institute
3297 NJ-66, Studio D
Neptune, NJ 07753

Overview

Sports Massage: A Clinical Reasoning Approach moves beyond the application of techniques and focuses on how massage therapists make sound clinical decisions based on the athlete, the sport, and the situation. Participants will learn a practical clinical reasoning framework that connects assessment with purposeful treatment planning.

Rather than relying on routines or predetermined protocols, therapists will develop a systematic approach to interviewing athletes, observing movement, identifying treatment goals, selecting appropriate interventions, and evaluating treatment outcomes. Through athlete case studies, guided discussion, and practical clinical examples, participants will explore how an athlete’s goals, training cycle, competition schedule, and current presentation influence treatment decisions.

What You'll Learn

Participants will learn to apply a repeatable clinical reasoning framework to sports massage assessment, treatment planning, and decision-making. Matthew introduces five primary treatment goals—Prepare, Support, Recover, Maintain, and Restore—and teaches participants how to select the appropriate goal based on the athlete's presentation and needs.

The course follows a systematic process of interview, observation, movement assessment, treatment planning, treatment, and reassessment. Participants will also learn to evaluate outcomes using athlete feedback, movement, comfort, and function, allowing treatment to continually adapt rather than follow a predetermined routine.