Sports Med Massage

Get Back to the Activities You Love — Stronger & Pain-Free

Clinical sports massage for athletes and active adults — from weekend warriors to professionals. Assessment-driven therapy that targets the root cause, not just the symptoms.

NCTMB Board Certified
Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Assessment-First Therapy

Get Back to Full Function, Faster.

You train hard. You need a practitioner who understands the demands of your sport — someone who assesses before they treat and builds every session around your body.

Assessment-First Approach

Every session starts with a thorough evaluation — pressure preference, activity level, tension patterns, health history. No cookie-cutter treatments.

One-on-One, Full Sessions

Every minute is with Larry, focused entirely on you. No assistants, no hand-offs, no shortcuts.

Clinical, Not Spa

Targeted therapeutic work grounded in orthopedic assessment — not a generic rubdown. This is results-oriented bodywork.

Treats the Root Cause

We identify compensatory patterns and underlying dysfunction, not just chase the symptom you walked in with.

Results You Can Feel

What You Can Expect

Improved Circulation

Better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged or stressed tissues.

Greater Range of Motion

Restoring myofascial glide so your joints and muscles move without restriction.

Injury Prevention

Identifying and treating asymmetries and compensatory patterns before they become acute injuries.

Enhanced Function

Improving the output and efficiency of muscles and joints for daily life and sport.

Faster Recovery

Post-event protocols to minimize delayed-onset muscle soreness and inflammation.

What Your First Session Looks Like

We start with a conversation — not a clipboard. You'll tell me about your pain, your activities, and your goals. From there, I'll assess your tissue quality, range of motion, and compensation patterns before any hands-on work begins. Everything is explained. Nothing is rushed.

The Process

The Sports Med Method

01

Assess

We start by listening. A thorough evaluation of your body, your pain patterns, your activity level, and your goals — so the treatment is built around you.

02

Treat

Targeted, hands-on therapy using the right combination of techniques for your specific condition. Cross-fiber friction and thixotropy to break down scar tissue and realign collagen. Every session is clinical, focused, and one-on-one.

03

Perform

With a structured treatment plan, we get you back to full function — restoring range of motion, optimizing muscle function, recovering faster, and staying ahead of future injuries.

What We Offer

Services

Orthopedic Sports Massage

Acute & chronic injuries, strains, post-surgical recovery

Targeted treatment using cross-fiber friction and precise techniques to break down scar tissue and promote proper healing. Clinical, focused, and built around your injury.

The Science: Collagen Realignment

Cross-fiber friction triggers a controlled inflammatory response that breaks down disorganized scar tissue and promotes realignment of collagen fibers along their proper functional lines.

Moderate to firm pressure, adjusted to your tolerance.

Deep Tissue Therapy

Chronic tension, postural issues, stress-related muscle tightness

Reaches the deeper muscle layers to release chronic tension, improve posture, and restore the mind-body connection. Effective doesn't have to mean painful.

The Science: Autogenic Inhibition

Sustained pressure stimulates the Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO), causing muscle fibers to relax — reducing chronic tension without excessive force. That's why effective deep tissue work doesn't have to hurt.

Firm but never beyond your comfort level.

Myofascial Release

Limited mobility, repetitive stress, "stuck" feeling in joints

Frees up the connective tissue (fascia) that can get stuck from injury or repetitive stress, restoring range of motion and letting your muscles glide the way they should.

The Science: Thixotropy

A shearing force encourages fascial ground substance to shift from a gel to a liquid state, restoring glide between tissue layers — the primary mechanism behind range-of-motion improvements.

Gentle sustained pressure — slow and intentional.

Cranio-Sacral / Relaxation

Stress relief, light-pressure preference, fibromyalgia, seniors

Gentle, nervous-system-focused work for clients who need stress relief, have sensitivities to deep pressure, or are managing conditions like fibromyalgia. Also excellent for seniors.

Very light touch — deeply calming.

Photo: Larry Howard

Meet Your Practitioner

The Norwich Standard.

Larry Howard brings a unique combination of clinical rigor and personal understanding to every session. A graduate of Norwich University (B.S. in Business) and the prestigious Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, MA, he discovered the transformative power of therapeutic massage while training for the London Marathon.

That experience sparked a career change — from the boardroom to the treatment room. With over [X] years of clinical practice, Larry has built a reputation for assessment-driven, results-oriented bodywork.

Experience with professional athletes including New England Patriots players, World Class and Ironman triathletes, World Cup soccer players, and professional beach volleyball players.

Certified Orthopedic Sports Massage Specialist
NCTMB Board Certified
Advanced Orthopedic Injury & Assessment Certification
Graduate — Muscular Therapy Institute (Cambridge, MA)
B.S. in Business — Norwich University

Larry's Clinical Training & Board Certification

Larry's clinical foundation comes from the muscular therapy tradition — a system of orthopedic assessment built to pinpoint the exact source of musculoskeletal pain through deep knowledge of anatomy, fiber direction, and tissue attachments. This is distinct from general massage training and is the basis for the assessment-first approach used in every session.

His NCTMB Board Certification is the highest voluntary credential in the profession — requiring a national examination, 750+ hours of foundational education, adherence to a strict code of ethics, and ongoing continuing education in clinical research. Combined with his Advanced Orthopedic certification, it places him in the top tier of clinical practitioners in the state.

Results

What Clients Are Saying

(Placeholder testimonials — Larry will replace with real ones)

"I'd been dealing with a nagging IT band issue for months. After three sessions with Larry, I ran my first pain-free half marathon in over a year. He found things no one else had even looked for."

Sarah M.

Marathon Runner

"I came in barely able to turn my head after a bad golf swing. Larry didn't just work on my neck — he traced it back to my shoulder and upper back. Two sessions later, full range of motion. The guy is thorough."

Tom R.

Weekend Golfer

"As a triathlete, recovery is everything. Larry's myofascial work has become a non-negotiable part of my training cycle. I move better, recover faster, and haven't had a serious injury in two seasons."

Jen K.

Ironman Triathlete

FAQ

Common Questions

Will it hurt? What about pressure?
Effective deep work doesn't have to be painful. Larry adjusts pressure based on your assessment and feedback — firm enough to create change, never beyond your tolerance. You're always in control.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your condition. Some acute issues resolve in 2–3 sessions. Chronic or complex injuries may require a longer treatment plan. Larry will give you an honest assessment upfront — no upselling.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable, athletic clothing you can move in. You'll be draped appropriately throughout the session, and only the area being treated is exposed.
I'm not an athlete — is this for me?
Absolutely. Many of Larry's clients are desk workers, active adults, and seniors dealing with pain, tension, or limited mobility. If you have a body and it's giving you trouble, this work can help.
What should I expect on my first visit?
Expect a conversation first. Larry will ask about your pain, activity level, health history, and goals. Then he'll assess your tissue quality and range of motion before beginning hands-on work. No surprises.
Are there reasons I shouldn't book?
Certain conditions (acute inflammation, fever, blood clots, certain skin conditions) may require medical clearance. Larry will review your intake form and discuss any concerns before treatment.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to reschedule or cancel. Late cancellations may be subject to a fee.

Get Started

Ready to Move Better? Let's Talk.

Phone

508-245-3982

Address

1032 Turnpike St, Suite 204, Canton, MA 02021

Hours

By appointment.