By the end of this course, you will (1) apply sports-specific soft tissue techniques to manage common athletic injuries and (2) integrate evidence-informed massage protocols into comprehensive rehabilitation and performance programs. Taught by renowned educator and therapist Robert “Bob” McAtee, this course blends theory with hands-on instruction to build practical, clinically relevant skills.

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Sports Massage Principles for Performance and Recovery
This course is part of Sports Massage Therapist Specialization

Instructor: Niel Asher Education
Included with
Recommended experience
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
Skills you'll gain
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December 2025
4 assignments
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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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Niel Asher Education

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Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
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