Sports Massage is a treatment that has been developed for those who are:-

• Regularly involved in a sporting activity
• To aid recovery from injury
• To prevent injuries from occurring initially
• To increase overall performance.

Sports massage uses hands-on techniques to manipulate the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is an increasingly popular form of massage as more people engage in regular exercise to keep fit and as a physical antidote to the digital modern world.

In sports massage, the therapist uses different techniques such as myofascial release and neuromuscular techniques to identify deep pain stored in the muscles and radiating pain from that area can be reduced. Trigger points, or knots, may also be found, which can disperse and ease after a thorough treatment.

You don’t have to be an athlete or even all that sporty to appreciate the benefits of a good sports massage.  Spending time sat at a desk can cause muscular tension and over-use of certain muscular groups, which can be freed most effectively by using sports massage techniques.

Sports massage is not designed to relax you, and you may feel a bit tired or sore afterwards, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to relax after your treatment.  Massage can have a dehydrating effect on the body, but this is easily rectified by drinking plenty of water before and after the treatment.

Depends on the frequency and intensity of your training sessions. However, a regular appointment is a great idea if you're often pushing your body physically. Also, don't leave it too long between treatments, otherwise progress will be very slow.

When tight or overworked muscles are worked on they will transmit pain sensations.  During the treatment, the therapist will be guided by your feedback.  Often you will feel ‘good’ pain, which responds to the technique that has been applied, but other times pain may feel ‘bad’ and indicate that treatment is not currently suitable.

A deep tissue massage is exactly what it says on the tin!  The pressure is adjusted to manipulate the deeper tissue layers in the body, but not so deep as to work all the way through like with a sports massage.  This type of pressure is still efficient enough to release any newly formed or small knots and to stretch stiff muscles.

• Relaxes the muscles
• Boosts circulation and the immune system so that the body heals more quickly
• Improves flexibility and body strength
• Reduces heart rate and blood pressure
• Increases circulation and lymph flow
• Accelerates recovery
• Helps prevent injuries

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms or illnesses below – it is worth discussing the treatment with a medical professional ahead of time.  I am also happy to discuss whether I can help relieve any of the symptoms – but it’s worth checking-in ahead of time.

• Fever
• Acute soft tissue inflammation:
• High blood pressure
• Infectious diseases
• Hernia
• Osteoporosis: This condition is specific for elderly people in which bones become porous, brittle, and fragile. Massage may be too intense and cause unexpected damages.
• Varicose veins
• Fractures
• Skin diseases and open wounds: You should avoid anything that looks like it shouldn't be there, such as rashes, wounds, bruises, burns, boils, and blisters.
• Cancer
• DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
• Recent surgery
• Pregnancy: Massage is not allowed in the first trimester of pregnancy as the baby is not stable yet