What a sports massage therapist does
Sports massage therapists treat athletes and active clients to prepare for training and competition, recover afterwards and manage soft tissue injuries. Their work may take place in a clinic, a training facility or at events, often alongside physiotherapists, athletic therapists and coaches. For an employer, a sports massage therapist helps athletes stay in the game, supports injury rehabilitation and adds a service that active clients look for.
Because massage therapist is a protected title in Ontario, sports massage therapists are typically RMTs registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario who have added sport-specific training and experience. Finch confirms College registration first, then screens for event and competition experience, familiarity with common sport injuries and the availability your schedule demands, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and tournament travel.
Typical responsibilities
- Provide pre-event, post-event and maintenance massage for athletes
- Assess and treat soft tissue injuries in collaboration with the sports medicine team
- Adapt techniques to the athlete's sport, training cycle and competition schedule
- Provide on-site treatment at training sessions, games or events
- Keep treatment records and communicate with physiotherapists and coaches
- Advise on recovery, mobility and self-care between sessions
Qualifications and credentials
- Current registration with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
- Post-graduate training or a credential in sport massage
- Experience treating athletes, from recreational to competitive levels
- Professional liability insurance
- Flexibility for event coverage, travel and irregular hours
Who hires a sports massage therapist
- Sports medicine and physiotherapy clinics
- Amateur and professional sports teams
- Athletic and fitness facilities
- Colleges and universities with varsity programs
- Sporting event and tournament organizers
Where we recruit sports massage therapist candidates
We fill sports massage therapist roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm College of Massage Therapists of Ontario registration
- Review sport massage training and athlete experience
- Discuss experience working within a sports medicine team
- Confirm availability for events, travel and weekend coverage
- Check references from team clinicians, coaches or clinic directors
Interview questions to ask
- How does your treatment change before a competition compared with after it?
- How do you coordinate with a physiotherapist who is managing an athlete's injury?
- Tell us about a time you treated athletes at an event. How did you manage the pace?