About Sports Massage

What is sports massage?

Sports massage is a no-nonsense massage treatment, which aims to stretch tight muscles, stimulate inactive muscles and improve soft tissue condition.   Sports massage enables you to move your body more freely and can, in time, improve your posture.  As the name suggests it is popular with sports people, as it enhances performance, assists recovery and prevents injury, but these are benefits that we can all enjoy.

What are remedial techniques?

Remedial techniques are those which have developed from traditional massage or been borrowed from other disciplines such as physiotherapy or osteopathy. They are used to free up tight tissues and stimulate the repair process.  By combining these techniques with massage I can find the most effective treatment for your body.   Some examples of the remedial techniques that I use are:

Soft Tissue Release – a mechanical lock and stretch technique which can be used in many different ways to stretch and unstick congested tissues.

Muscle Energy Technique – this stimulates the nervous system enabling me to stretch your muscles or encourage inactive ones to get working!

Neuromuscular Technique – this technique also works with the nervous system, this time helping to eradicate pain and tension.   Trigger points are also deactivated using this technique.

Positional Release – a gentle, but effective technique used for relaxing hyperactive muscles.

Fascial Release – used to free-up the connective tissues which surround the muscles, this technique is deep, slow and helps to increase functional movement.

 Other Considerations

Sports and Remedial Massage also considers other aspects which may be playing a part in your condition.  These include your medical history, diet, lifestyle, work, hobbies and your emotions.

I am not an athlete – is sports massage suitable for me?

You don’t have to be a top-flight athlete or even remotely sporty to appreciate the benefits of a good sports massage.  Spending time sat at a desk can cause muscular tension and over use, which can be freed most effectively using sports massage.

Is sports massage painful?

When tight or overworked muscles are worked on they will transmit pain sensations.   During treatment I will be guided by your feedback.  Often you will feel ‘good’ pain, which responds to the technique I apply, and other times pain may feel ‘bad’ and indicate that treatment is not currently suitable.  Always tell me how you feel so I can ensure your treatment is effective at reducing or removing muscular pain.

During treatment will I have to do anything?

Yes, expect to be fully involved in your treatment!  This means you may be asked to move into different positions, push against me or move a limb in a specific direction.  I will also ask you to provide me with feedback about how you are feeling.  We will communicate quite a lot during your session but please don’t feel that you have to chat if you would rather have some quiet time.

What should I wear during treatment?

During assessment it is best to wear comfortable underwear or some people prefer to wear shorts.  During treatment towels will be used to keep you warm and comfortable.

I am under 17 years old – can I have Sports Massage?

Yes.  Under 17 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at each treatment.  Sports massage can be very helpful for young people who take part in a lot of sporting activities.  It can prevent injury and support recovery from training at a time when their bodies are changing fast.

I have an injury – is sports massage appropriate for me?

It might be.  Many soft tissue injuries benefit greatly from sports massage, but it is best to contact me and check first.  You might need to wait for a few days if your injury is very new.  If after assessing your injury I am not able to provide you with suitable treatment then I will recommend that you see a doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath or other medical professional for a diagnosis.  After diagnosis I may be able to help you recover, so keep in touch.

I have a medical condition – can I have sports massage treatment and how will it effect me?

Sports massage can be very helpful for many medical conditions.  The treatment techniques, duration or positioning can all be modified to ensure they are suitable for your condition.  People with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis, ME, anxiety and stress can all benefit.

There are some conditions for which sports massage is not suitable.   If you are unsure please contact me.

I am taking medications – can I still receive sports massage?

Most likely yes, but please tell me about your medications when you book.  If you are taking pain medication you may need to stop taking them before your session.

How will I feel after my treatment?

You should feel more relaxed after your treatment.  Some people feel cold and thirsty, so having warm clothes with you is a good idea.  It is advisable to drink plenty of water after treatment and try to keep moving a bit.  Depending on your condition and the techniques used you may feel a little soreness, but this should ease within 24hours.  Some people feel tired, energized or even emotional after receiving sports massage treatment.  Please do not hesitate to contact me should you experience any surprising effects.

How often should I have Sports Massage Treatment?

This will depend on the reasons why you are having treatment.  Some problems respond best to short, frequent treatments, for example 30 minutes every three to five days.   Those people wishing to support their body during training may find one hour each week or fortnight best for them.  After your first session I will be able to provide clearer advice as to when your next treatment should be.

Is there anything I can do to prolong the benefits of my treatment?

Yes move!  Many people find stretching dull and time consuming but it really can help to prolong the benefits of your treatment.  I will provide you with focused home care advice, which will be explained, demonstrated and practiced during your treatment.  Please contact me if you are unsure, finding your stretches difficult or experiencing pain, there are always alternatives.

I have further questions about Sports and Remedial Massage.

Please feel free to contact me by phone, email or even text.