Sports massage

Sports massage is a soft tissue therapy which manipulates and can rehabilitate soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is applicable not just to sports people but to anybody wishing to guard against or recover from a soft tissue injury.

For those who practice sports, of any level, a sports specific massage can be beneficial at various stages of participation: the conditioning / training phase, pre competition, inter competition, post competition, post travel, injury prevention or injury recovery.

How it works

Sports massage aims to improve the suppleness and flexibility of muscles and joints, improve blood circulation, speed up the healing of damaged or stressed muscles, tissues and joints and prevent future muscle and tendon injuries.

The techniques used by sports massage practitioners have been developed to ensure effective and efficient results are gained from each massage given.

Benefits

Soft tissue therapy may:

Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
Assist in the removal of metabolic waste
Sedate or stimulate nerve endings
Increase or decrease muscle tone
Increase or decrease muscle length
Remodel scar tissue when required
Assist in mental preparation for sporting participation

The benefits can help relieve the many day to day problems, repetitive strain injury, sprains, tension and fatigue that everyone experiences. Many soft tissue therapists work with a variety of clients in assisting with preventive treatment and injury recovery.

Treatment

A consultation, discussion around injury, postural assessment and range of movement assessment will be carried out. A treatment plan will then be discussed.

Usually, the outer layer of clothing is removed so the massage can be worked directly onto the skin. It is a good idea to bring sports shorts and a vest to the session. The massage is carried out on the massage table and depending on whether it is pre-event, post-event or a corrective treatment, the therapy can take from thirty minutes to two hours.

After the massage, some strengthening exercises are practised to strengthen the injured or damaged area, then some stretches are advised. Practising these exercises at home between treatments is recommended.

To note

Sports massage, although relaxing and soothing, can also be quite vigorous. If the client has muscle soreness the massage may, initially, cause some discomfort.

People with diabetes should be aware that sports massage will have the same effects as exercise.

Book a sports massage

Get in touch to book a session, or call us on 07932 955689.