Balancing Recovery and Performance: Working with College Football Athletes

Sundays after home games, I am lucky enough to get to help players recover from Saturday's game using soft tissue manipulation and muscle flushing techniques. This internship experience has given me a window into the world of college athletes, their dedication, and the delicate balance they maintain between pushing their limits and healing their bodies. Practicing sports massage on college athletes has deepened my understanding of athlete recovery and performance.

The Routine of Recovery After Game Day

When I am in the recovery room, I work on about 10 to 12 players who come through for manual therapy sessions after working with their training team. Each athlete signs a waiver, and we spend a few minutes discussing their specific needs for recovery. They usually choose two areas to focus on, and my goal is to improve circulation and flexibility in areas of complaint. One reason why sports massage is different from the myofascial release therapy I normally focus on because these athletes are incredibly knowledgeable about their bodies (learn more about the differences by reading about it here). They know exactly what they need to recover, and how to support their own performance. I'm just there to take direction from their training team and support the athlete's own efforts, rather than guide their wellness journey.

The conversations we have are brief, but focused. Players might mention tight hamstrings, sore shoulders, or tell me areas to avoid. I tailor the manual therapy to address these concerns, using techniques like effleurage, petrissage, compression, and a little crossfiber friction here or there. All of which promote blood flow and reduce muscle tension. The goal is simple: improve circulation on their recovery day to assist their resilience, so they can return to practice and be ready for the next game.

How Athletes Approach Recovery Differently

One of the most impressive things about working with college football players is their mindset. The athletes I've worked on thus far have mostly between 19 and 22 years old. They live and breathe their sport. They have tunnel vision when it comes to their goals, and their bodies are their most valuable tools. Unlike many non-athletes I have worked with, these players are highly attuned to the healing process. They understand the importance of rest, nutrition, and targeted recovery techniques, and they take full accountability for doing the work to meet their goals.

This contrasts with my previous experience working with tech executives, where I provided emotional resilience coaching. They are still top performers, but in a different way. Those leaders, usually aged 25 to 45, perform at a high level as well, but face different challenges. They often have a clear idea of their direction but struggle with how to get there or how to inspire their team to see their vision. The athletes, on the other hand, see the vision. They know how to get there. They know exactly what they want: to perform at their best on game day and maintain a long, healthy career.

The Role of Sports Massage in Athletic Performance

Manual (massage) therapy helps athletes maintain peak performance. Unlike myofascial release or spa-style massage, both of which focus on releasing restrictions and relaxation respectively, sports massage is more targeted. It aims to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and address specific areas of tension or injury using energetic techniques.

The athletes I have met during my internship need recovery massage to improve circulation and mobility that will support their training program on the practice field and on game day. For example, after a tough game, a player might experience tightness in the quadriceps and lower back. By focusing on these areas, I can do a muscle flush which helps increase blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the muscles to speed up recovery. This involves targeted, energetic, active strokes rather than rhythmic, soothing, relaxing strokes. Sports massage is a different type of massage than what I practiced in the student clinic. The variety has sharpened my skills. Also, it has taught me to adapt my approach based on the athlete's position that they play since they use muscle groups according to their field position.

Why This Internship Feels Like a Privilege

Getting to work with athletes who have dedicated their lives to performing at a high level is a privilege. Their commitment is inspiring, and their trust in my skills motivates me to improve every week. I see firsthand how recovery impacts their ability to perform and how manual therapy supports their journey. Balancing recovery and performance is essential for athletes, and I’m lucky that I get to play a role in maintaining that balance.

This internship continues to teach me valuable lessons about resilience, focus, and the power of targeted massage therapy. Each session is a reminder that recovery is not just about healing the body but also about preparing the mind. The players know that every treatment brings them one step closer to the next practice, the next drill, and the next game. Being part of that process is rewarding and humbling. I look forward to returning to the treatment room every time, ready to help more players recover and perform.

If you are interested in how manual therapy can support athletic performance or want to learn more about recovery techniques, subscribe to my newsletter for more insights from my experience with the UNLV Rebels football team. Recovery is a critical part of success, and understanding it better can help anyone perform at their best.