The Realities of Travel Massage Therapy with Sports Teams

For many aspiring massage therapists, the idea of working with athletes and sports teams holds a special appeal. The dynamic team environment and the opportunity to contribute to athletic performance can be incredibly rewarding. For me, this was a significant motivator when I decided to pursue massage therapy as a career. The vision of being part of a team, rather than solely practicing in a clinic, was particularly enticing.

During my college years, I was fortunate to begin working with a local Junior A hockey club. This experience lasted for seven years, culminating in a season as head trainer and medical director. This role involved traveling with the team and provided a firsthand look at the logistics and challenges of life on the road – from transportation and dressing room setup to equipment management and the inevitable unexpected issues. This volunteer experience opened doors to further opportunities, including a year with the national Rugby 7’s men’s team and, in 2016, my first involvement with the national women’s development program in hockey.

My work with the women’s development program has presented incredible opportunities for international travel. While my previous experiences provided a foundation in the demands of team work, international travel introduced a new dimension of effort and dedication required for success. For those readers interested in pursuing Travel Massage therapy with sports teams, I want to offer a realistic glimpse into a typical work schedule. Understanding the daily grind is crucial to determining if this path aligns with your professional aspirations.

A Day in the Life of a Travel Massage Therapist

It’s important to recognize that schedules can vary significantly across different sports and venues. However, regardless of the specifics, being a travel massage therapist involves a substantial amount of work behind the scenes. Setting up treatment spaces in hotels, dressing rooms at arenas, and various training facilities to support athletes throughout a tournament demands meticulous planning and execution. Your responsibilities extend far beyond just providing massage therapy; you become an integral part of the support system, often handling tasks you might not initially anticipate. The following outlines typical daily schedules during a three-week trip, offering insights into the varied demands of travel massage.

Pre-tournament Game Day Schedule

The pre-tournament game day is structured to optimize athlete preparation and performance. It’s a carefully orchestrated sequence of activities designed to build up to game time.

5:00 am – Light snack: Fueling athletes starts early with a light snack to provide initial energy for the day’s activities.
5:30 am – Athlete exercise routine: A crucial element of pre-game preparation, this routine activates muscles and enhances readiness.
6:00 am – Team meetings/presentations: Coaches use this time for strategic discussions, game plan reviews, and motivational talks.
6:30 am – Team practice/dryland: Dryland training focuses on off-ice conditioning, skill work, and tactical drills.
7:00 am – Regular breakfast: A more substantial breakfast follows the initial activities, providing sustained energy.
7:30 am – Morning session with S&C coach: Strength and conditioning coaches lead targeted sessions to further enhance physical preparedness.
7:45 – 9:10am – Practice session for some athletes: Individualized or small group practice sessions address specific skill development needs.
10:00am – 12:00pm – Physio & Massage Therapy treatments: This is a dedicated window for athletes to receive essential physical therapy and travel massage to address any niggles, promote recovery, and optimize muscle function before the game.
1:30 pm – Pregame Meal: Nutrition is paramount; the pre-game meal is carefully planned to provide optimal fuel for performance.
3:10 pm – Athletes and coaches meeting: Final pre-game meeting for last-minute instructions and mental preparation.
3:45 pm – Dryland warmup: A shorter, more intense dryland warmup closer to game time to elevate body temperature and prime muscles.
4:30 pm – On ice warmup for both teams: Teams take to the ice for their official pre-game warm-up, familiarizing themselves with the rink and game conditions.
5:00 pm – Game time: The culmination of the day’s preparation – game on!
5:10 pm – Athlete cool down: Post-game cool down initiates the recovery process, reducing muscle soreness and promoting faster recuperation.
8:20 pm – Dinner: Post-game nutrition to replenish energy stores and aid recovery.
9:00 pm – Staff meeting: The support staff meets to review the day, plan for the next, and address any logistical or athlete-related concerns.

Alt text: Athlete receiving travel massage therapy on a treatment table, highlighting the importance of recovery for sports teams.

Travel Day Schedule

Travel days are notoriously demanding, often involving long hours and logistical complexities. Maintaining athlete routines and ensuring smooth transitions are key.

5:00 am – Light snack: Early start necessitates a light snack to kickstart the day.
5:30 am – Athlete exercise routine: Maintaining physical activity even on travel days is crucial for muscle health and circulation.
5:45 am – Team meetings/presentations: Briefings on travel logistics and schedules for the day.
6:30 am – Breakfast: A nourishing breakfast before a long travel day.
6:50 am – Athletes and coaches meeting: Final instructions and coordination before departure.
7:15 am – Dryland warmup: A lighter dryland session to keep athletes mobile and prevent stiffness before travel.
8:00am – 9:15am – Team practice: Depending on travel schedules, a morning practice may be squeezed in.
9:30 am – Athlete cooldown: Post-practice cool down to aid recovery.
9:30 am – 10:15 am – Help equipment manager pack up the dressing room and load all equipment on the bus: Teamwork extends to all aspects – assisting with equipment management is part of the support staff role.
10:30 am – Lunch: A quick lunch before heading to the airport.
12:15 pm – Load all team luggage on the bus: Ensuring all luggage is accounted for and loaded efficiently.
12:30 pm – Leave for airport: Departure for the airport and the next destination.
1:45 pm – Check all baggage and equipment in through airport security: Navigating airport procedures with a large team and equipment requires patience and organization.
5:05 pm – Flight leaves: Departure for the connecting flight.
6:30 am – Land for connecting flight: Arrival for the connecting flight (time zone changes considered).
10:10am – Connecting flight departs: Departure on the connecting flight.
3:25 pm – Land in destination, collect luggage, load bus: Arrival at the final destination, baggage claim, and transport to the hotel.
6:00 pm – Check into hotel: Hotel check-in and settling in after a long travel day.
6:30 pm – Dinner: Dinner upon arrival at the hotel.
7:00 pm – All support staff (medical, logistics, equipment manager etc) set up athletes dressing room, medical room, and all associated equipment: Immediate setup of essential team facilities upon arrival – a crucial task for support staff.
9:10 pm – Staff meeting (time depending on dressing room setup completion): Evening staff meeting, time adjusted based on the dressing room setup progress, to finalize plans and address any immediate needs.

Pre-competition Schedule

Leading up to competition days, the focus shifts to fine-tuning performance and ensuring athletes are in peak condition.

8:15 am – Breakfast: A balanced breakfast to start the pre-competition day.
8:45 am – Athlete and coaches meeting: Strategy and preparation discussions for the upcoming competition.
9:30 am – Dryland warmup: Focused dryland training to enhance specific skills and fitness elements required for competition.
10:00 am – 11:45 am – Practice: On-ice or field practice to refine techniques and team plays.
12:00 pm – Athlete cool down: Post-practice cool down to promote recovery.
12:40 pm – Lunch: Nutritious lunch to refuel after practice.
1:15 pm – Team meetings/presentations: Further strategic discussions or video analysis sessions.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Physio and Massage Therapy treatments: Another dedicated block for physiotherapy and travel massage, focusing on injury prevention and performance optimization before competition.
4:30 pm – Light meal: A light snack to maintain energy levels in the afternoon.
5:30 pm – Dryland warmup: Evening dryland session, possibly lighter than the morning, depending on the schedule.
6:00 pm – 7:15pm – Practice: Evening practice session, potentially focusing on specific scenarios or game situations.
7:25 pm – Athlete cool down: Post-evening practice cool down.
8:30 pm – Dinner: Evening meal.
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Treatment window for Physio and Massage: Final treatment window of the day, allowing athletes to address any lingering issues or receive pre-sleep massage for recovery.
10:10 pm – Staff meeting: End-of-day staff meeting to review progress and plan for the next day of competition preparation.

Gameday Schedule

Game day is the pinnacle of preparation – all efforts culminate in the performance on the field or ice.

7:15 am – Breakfast: Game day breakfast, focusing on easily digestible and energy-rich foods.
7:45 am – Athlete and coaches meeting: Final pre-game meeting, focusing on strategy, motivation, and mental readiness.
8:15 am – Dryland warmup: Light dryland activation to prepare muscles for the pre-game skate.
9:00 am – 9:45 am – Pregame Skate: A short, sharp pre-game skate to get a feel for the ice and game-day atmosphere.
9:55 am – Athlete cool down: Brief cool down after the pre-game skate.
11:00 am – Light lunch: A light, easily digestible lunch well before game time.
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Physio and Massage Therapy treatments: Final pre-game treatment window to address any last-minute concerns and ensure athletes are physically primed. Travel massage at this stage can be crucial for calming nerves and optimizing muscle readiness.
3:30 pm – Pregame Meal: The main pre-game meal, carefully timed and composed for sustained energy release during the game.
4:50 pm – Athlete and coaches meeting: Final pre-game team meeting right before heading to the arena.
5:45 pm – Dryland warmup: Intense dryland warmup to maximize physical readiness just before game time.
6:30 pm – On ice warmup for both teams: Official on-ice warm-up, building anticipation and game intensity.
7:00 pm – Game time: The main event – game time!
9:10 pm – Athlete cool down: Post-game cool down to initiate recovery immediately after the game.
10:30 pm – Dinner: Post-game dinner, focusing on protein and carbohydrates for muscle recovery and energy replenishment.
11:00pm – Staff meeting: Post-game staff meeting to debrief, discuss player conditions, and plan for subsequent games or travel.

Throughout these schedules, medical team presence is expected during dryland warmups, cool downs, and practices. Typically, therapists work in shifts, with one attending to on-field or on-ice activities while the other handles essential support tasks like preparing hydration, ice packs, or assisting the equipment manager. Flexibility and adaptability are key as schedules can shift, requiring medical staff to cover overlapping sessions or adjust their roles as needed.

During games, support staff often take on additional roles. For instance, I would assist the video coach by filming the game, while the physiotherapist would be readily available on the bench for immediate athlete care. Clear job descriptions and a collaborative approach ensure that every team member’s time is used effectively and productively.

For anyone considering travel massage in sports, First Aid and First Responder certifications are not just beneficial – they are essential. In high-pressure sports environments, the massage therapist is an integral part of the emergency action plan. Whether on or off the field, you are expected to respond effectively in injury or emergency situations. Strong First Responder training is non-negotiable for this career path.

Teamwork Beyond the Game

The support staff operates as a “team within the team,” mirroring the athletes’ collaborative spirit. It’s crucial to understand that you will be involved in tasks beyond massage therapy. From mundane but necessary duties like filling water bottles to physically demanding tasks like loading equipment, a willingness to contribute wherever needed is paramount. Ego has no place in this environment.

Even if you hold a senior position at your home practice, your role may be different when traveling with a national team. Adhering to your assigned job description is vital. Long days might involve setting up dressing rooms or handling equipment logistics without performing any massage. Coaches are focused on strategy, logistics manages travel, and each support staff member fulfills their specific responsibilities.

Just like athletes adapting to different roles within a team, everyone on the support staff comes together to achieve a common goal – the athletes’ success. There will be challenging days, fatigue, and potential friction with other staff members. However, the essence of teamwork lies in setting aside personal frustrations and working cohesively for the athletes’ benefit. It’s about their needs, not personal preferences.

However, for those who embrace hard work, put team goals first, and leave ego behind, the rewards of travel massage therapy are immense. The bonds forged with fellow staff, the pride in contributing to athlete performance and representing your organization or country are unparalleled. And, as a bonus, you might even come home with a medal and some incredible memories.

Jamie Johnston

As the creator of this website, I hope you find this information valuable. I am a Registered Massage Therapist in Victoria BC, a former massage college clinical supervisor, a First Responder instructor, a passionate hockey fan, and a Firefighter. Connect with me on our Facebook page to share ideas on elevating the massage therapy profession.

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Jamie Johnston

Founder at The MTDC

As the creator of the site, I hope you like what you’re reading. I’m a Registered Massage Therapist in Victoria BC, former Massage college clinical supervisor, First Responder instructor, hockey fan and Firefighter. Come hang out on the facebook page, where we can share some ideas about how to improve the perception of the Massage Therapy industry.