Sports massage is a treatment given with the understanding not only of anatomy and physiology but also of the particular demands placed upon the body by the client and their specific sport or activity. Not only professional athletes or those who train heavily can benefit by receiving a Sports massage.  Anyone that is active and participates in any mild exercise can equally benefit.   

Sports massage involves advanced soft-tissue manipulation techniques and stretching to help improve mobility and performance. It can often be a quite intense treatment and helps to relieve and reduce the stress and tension that can build up within the body’s soft tissues while exercising. Kinesio taping techniques may be applied to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion.

It can be carried out pre sports, during, or post sports or exercising and uses techniques that are designed to increase endurance and performance, to minimise the chances of injury and, if there is an injury, to reduce the recovery time. 

It can be used as a regular treatment to maintain healthy muscles and improve posture.

• Sports massage corrects problems and imbalances in soft tissue i.e muscles, tendons and ligaments which is often caused by repetitive, strenuous physical activity or trauma. Muscle imbalances may develop and go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause pain or affect performance.
• Aims to promote recovery, improve performance and achieve long-term injury prevention, whether the cause of the injury, pain or dysfunction is sports related or the result of general wear, tear , repetitive strain or tension.
• Aids healing, easing pains and increases mobility to injured and overused soft tissue, it also prevents further injury, lowers stress levels, enhances energy, improves posture, promotes sound sleep and generally improves well being.

Pre-event sport massages that require deep tissue techniques should occur no later than 48 to 72 hours before the planned exercise event.

Any massage undertaken in the preceding 48 hours, should be restricted to light relaxation only to help stimulate circulation of blood to the muscles allowing them to be flushed and oxygenated, to help creates a state of readiness in the muscles for activity, help muscles to relax so the joints are more flexible and enables the athlete to focus.

If you have a sporting event coming up soon, please contact us  to ensure that your muscles are working optimally on the big day.

It is highly recommended that you do have a follow-up massage within a few days of your sporting event e.g. post marathon,  to help you recover quicker or evaluate any niggling injuries. Most professional sporting teams now utilise the professional services of massage therapists to assist athletic recovery and preparation.

You’ll find that elite football team players usually have two different styles of sports massage each week to prepare them for next week’s game.

What is Normal Post-Exercise Soreness?
Normal post-exercise soreness should settle within a day or two. Pain or soreness lasting greater than 48 hours is more likely to be injury related. 

For more details or to book an appointment for an initial consultation, please call us on 07538 137900.