Sports Injury Massage for Athletes in Santa Barbara
Pain relief, injury recovery and performance care for runners, cyclists, surfers, climbers and weekend warriors.
Schwartz Sports Massage and Manual Therapy on upper State Street is where Santa Barbara athletes come when something hurts and training is on the line. Amanda Schwartz (CAMTC #93362) combines sports massage, myofascial release, strain counterstrain, trigger point therapy, IASTM and cupping to calm pain, restore range of motion and get you back to your sport.
Text 805-881-3390
How sports massage helps athletes in pain
Most athletic pain comes from overloaded muscle, irritated tendons and fascia that has stopped gliding. Sports massage works directly on those tissues to ease tension and guarding, improve circulation and restore normal movement, so you can keep training while the problem settles.
For chronic pain, such as the hamstring that is always tight or the shoulder that flares up every season, regular sessions help break the cycle of tension, compensation and re-injury. You leave every session with specific stretches and mobility work to hold on to the gains between visits.
Sports injuries we treat
Athletes from Santa Barbara, Goleta and Montecito book with us for:
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IT band syndrome and runner's knee
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Plantar fasciitis and calf or Achilles tightness
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Tendon pain such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and patellar tendinopathy
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Hamstring, groin and hip flexor strains
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Low back pain and sciatica-type tension
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Neck and shoulder pain from swimming, surfing, climbing or lifting
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Post-surgical and return-to-sport recovery
Massage therapy is not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For a new injury with significant swelling, numbness or loss of strength, see a physician first. We are happy to work alongside your doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor..
Techniques for sports injury recovery
Myofascial release restores glide in restricted fascia. For athletic recovery, that means better range of motion and less of the pulling and stiffness that keep injuries coming back. Strain counterstrain is a gentle, indirect technique that positions the body to quiet tender points; it is used for acute pain, guarded or inflamed areas, headaches and post-surgical recovery.
Trigger point therapy releases tight bands that refer pain elsewhere. IASTM (muscle scraping) addresses adhesions and scar tissue in tendons, IT bands and the plantar fascia. Cupping lifts and decompresses tissue to increase local circulation. Most sessions blend several of these, based on a short assessment of how you move.
Sports Massage vs. Physical Therapy vs. Chiropractic
Sports massage focuses on soft tissue: muscles, tendons and fascia. Physical therapy centers on prescribed rehab exercise, and chiropractic care centers on joint adjustment. Many of our clients use sports massage alongside physical therapy or chiropractic care while they recover from an injury, then keep coming in for maintenance once they are back to full training.
Sessions and Booking
Sessions are $90 for 30 minutes, $175 for 60 minutes and $260 for 90 minutes with Amanda, or $85, $165 and $245 with Anna. Mobile and house-call sessions start at $250. Choose 30 minutes for one specific area, 60 minutes for a primary injury plus the surrounding areas, and 90 minutes for multiple areas or full-body sports recovery. Book online in under a minute, or text 805-881-3390.
Location and Hours
Schwartz Sports Massage and Manual Therapy
4213 State St, Suite 206, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Serving Santa Barbara, Goleta, Hope Ranch and Montecito
Open seven days: Sunday 9–7, Monday through Thursday 8–7, Friday 8–5, Saturday 9–6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of sports massage for chronic pain?
Sports massage can reduce muscle tension and guarding, improve circulation and range of motion, and break the cycle of tightness and compensation behind many chronic pain patterns. Most clients feel a change after one session, with longer-lasting results over a short series combined with home stretching and mobility work.
How does myofascial release help athletic recovery?
Training loads leave fascia restricted and stuck to the muscle beneath it. Myofascial release uses slow, sustained pressure and stretch to restore glide between those layers, which improves range of motion, eases stiffness and helps muscles recover and fire normally.
What is strain counterstrain therapy used for?
Strain counterstrain is used for acute and chronic pain, muscle spasm, tender points, headaches and post-surgical recovery. Because it is gentle and indirect, it works well when an area is too sore or inflamed for deep pressure.
What is the best place for sports injury treatment in Santa Barbara?
For soft-tissue sports injuries such as strains, tendon pain, IT band syndrome and plantar fasciitis, Schwartz Sports Massage combines sports massage, myofascial release, strain counterstrain and IASTM in one assessment-led session. For fractures, dislocations or injuries with major swelling or numbness, start with a physician or urgent care.
Do you take insurance?
We accept HSA/FSA cards and provide superbills. We do not work with insurance directly.
Where can athletes get pain relief massage in Santa Barbara?
Schwartz Sports Massage and Manual Therapy, 4213 State St, Suite 206, Santa Barbara, specializes in sports and injury massage for athletes and active people. Sessions are assessment-led and focus on pain relief, injury recovery and performance. The practice is open seven days a week, serves Goleta, Hope Ranch and Montecito, and is rated 5.0 stars on Google from more than 500 reviews.
