Sports massage therapy helps alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur due to overexertion or overuse, massage can be part of the process that aids recovery and enables a return to activity.
We are a well-established and welcoming practice offering sports massage at our practices in Medstead and Alton, along with a range of other therapies including osteopathy, cranial osteopathy and acupuncture. You can book an appointment easily online, and we can normally see you within 48 hours.
Sports massage refers to the approach taken by the therapist rather than any particular techniques. While a typical spa-type massage is intended primarily for relaxing effect, sports massage focuses primarily on therapeutic effect and on aiding and speeding-up the healing process in tired and sore muscles.
The massage therapist brings together a blend of techniques, knowledge and advice during the treatment to help achieve optimum performance, injury-free training and to minimise post event injuries.
Sports massage has a range of benefits including releasing muscle tightness, speeding up recovery, increasing athletic performance and range of motion, and aiding the body to cope with more frequent or intense training. Sports massage can also promote an overall sense of relaxation which can benefit all areas of your life including work performance, and improved sleep.
Sports massage increases blood flow to the muscles and expedites the removal of waste products, keeping muscles supple, healthy and performing at their best. The sports massage therapist will also feel for local areas of tension known as trigger points, and know where and how to manipulate the muscle to release this tension, improving muscle function and preventing injury.
In this way, sports massage can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether you are an athlete, an ardent keep-fitter or a once a week jogger.
Sports massage tends to be deeper and more intense than a relaxing therapeutic massage. It is based on Swedish massage and often incorporates other soft tissue techniques involving stretching, compression, friction, toning, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and trigger point response techniques similar to acupressure and shiatsu.
Sports massage is a bespoke treatment. Your therapist will discuss your goals with you and any particular issues you are having, and tailor the techniques used.
Anyone can benefit from sports massage as it aids in musculoskeletal function, posture and relaxation as well as the direct therapeutic effect on the muscles. People in physically demanding jobs or those suffering from occupational, emotional and postural stress may have similar symptoms to sports injuries. Muscle pain and tension, strains and sprains, and minor day-to-day injuries can also be helped with sports massage.
Will it hurt?
Some sessions can be uncomfortable but at no stage should you be unable to tolerate the level of discomfort. If you have any concerns, let your sports therapist know during the treatment so they can adjust their technique.
What should I wear?
When you come to sports massage you are very likely to have to expose the part of your body that you have a problem with, so clothing such as a loose top, tracksuit or shorts are ideal.
How long is a treatment?
Depending on your individual needs, it is possible to book 30 mins, 45 mins or 60 min sessions. The first appointment is normally 60 min.
Can I bring someone with me?
You are more than welcome to have someone chaperone you during your treatment. We ask that a parent or guardian is present for anyone under the age of 16. Our therapists are DBS cleared.
Sports Massage is available at our clinics in Medstead and Alton.
The best time for a sports massage depends on the individual and the best advice is to discuss with your therapist and listen to your body. Many people find a sports massage improves recovery in the window from immediately after an event or intense training session up to 2-3 days after. Some people find a sports massage benefits performance a day or two before an event, in the final stages of tapering down training. Others simply schedule a regular sports massage as part of their training schedule or just to relax and stay healthy.
Sports Massage is available at our clinics in Medstead and Alton, along with a range of other therapies including osteopathy, cranial osteopathy and western acupuncture. Booking is easy with our online system and we will normally be able to see you within 48 hours.
We are always on hand for help and advice so if you have any questions around sports massage or the best treatment for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
