IS SPORTS MASSAGE JUST FOR SPORTS PEOPLE?

Sports Massage isn’t just for sports people, it is for anybody with general or occupational aches and pains, postural dysfunction, tight muscles, tension or an injury.  It can be beneficial to any level of sportsperson as part of their program whether it’s just to aid recovery, restore normal function and prevent injury, but can also help enhance performance and results.

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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST SESSION?

In your first session you will receive a 60 minute treatment and I will also carry out a free initial consultation and full postural assessment.  I will require you to fill out a form detailing general information and providing consent for treatment.  You will be provided with an aftercare form.

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

I recommend wearing a loose fitting pair of shorts and women can wear a vest or sports bra for the postural assessment as it would be beneficial to see landmarks of the body, however, your personal comfort during the session is the highest priority, so you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in…and rest assured you will be covered with a towel during treatment.

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DOES SPORTS MASSAGE HURT?

Sports Massage can be a little uncomfortable, especially following an injury and/or if it’s your first treatment.  This depends on an individual’s own pain threshold and how tight your muscles are, during the treatment and also afterwards.

Sports massage is a form of massage where the Soft Tissue is manipulated using a variety of techniques to improve the condition of a person who engages in physical activity.  It’s not just for sports people but a great way of improving a variety of conditions that arise from occupational, recreational and daily routines.  Sports massage can be a complimentary treatment used as part of a treatment plan in conjunction with another form of health care such as Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractor but can also be used as a standalone method of treatment.  Sports massage can help with correcting imbalances and problems with soft tissue that could be caused by strenuous and repetitive physical activity and possibly trauma.  Sports massages techniques include:-

• Trigger point therapy        

• Frictions

• Soft Tissue Release           

• Positional release

• METs (muscle energy techniques) 

• Connective Tissue Massage

Please ensure you advise me of your comfort levels of pain and preferences so you will receive the maximum benefit from your treatment. 

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WHEN SHOULD I GET MY FIRST SPORTS MASSAGE?

You should get your first Sports Massage today!  The sooner you start to address your injury or discomfort, the sooner you can start to get some relief and start your recovery.  From a sporting perspective pre-event or pre-workout massages are great for injury prevention and performance, whereas post-event or post- workout massages are great at aiding recovery time and alleviating soreness. With occupational stress (whether its office or factory etc), it is important as part of loss prevention (avoiding days off due to pain and strain), along with improving posture to reduce, for example, the typical repetitive strains from hunching over a laptop or lifting and twisting. 

  

HOW SHOULD I FEEL AFTER MY FIRST SPORTS MASSAGE?

You may feel a level of discomfort but please ensure you feedback on your levels of pain so pressure can be adjusted.  After the first session, any discomfort should be less intense for the following sessions, due to muscles adjusting to the pressure and improvements from massage.  This will also depend on certain factors following treatment and whether post care advice, recommendations and exercise has been followed- this also depends on the reason the client has opted for sports massage, it might be what they are doing to their body between sessions (from either work or sports) will create the need from regular massage.

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It is important to rehydrate following a Sports Massage as this will help to flush out toxins and metabolic waste.  You may feel sore after the treatment, but this will normally pass in around 24-48 hours, leaving your muscles feeling looser and more relaxed and you may have more range of movement.

  

HOW LONG SHOULD IT BE BEFORE I RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES?
Generally between 24-48 hours, but we all have different recovery rates so it is key to ensure you give yourself adequate rest after a Sports Massage and don’t push sore muscles. 

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HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A SPORTS MASSAGE?

There are several factors including availability, budget, injury and general health.

If treating an injury/condition a weekly Sports Massage maybe initially beneficial and also for those training diligently.  For most looking to obtain a health balance in their body, a bi-weekly or monthly treatment maybe sufficient.

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If you have any additional questions then please don't hesitate to Contact Me.