Sports Massage

The time paid for is the time of actual massage. Please allow extra time before and after treatments to prepare and finish up especially on your first appointment as I need to take you through a consultation.

40 minutes £60     60 minutes £80

What is Sports Massage?

The truth is there is no industry wide definition of what Sports Massage is. I like to describe it as “massage with purpose”. Sports Massage is a manual therapy that concentrates on the body’s soft tissues including muscles, tendons and the fascia that joins them together. I utilise a number of different techniques including deep tissue, myofascial release, soft tissue release, neuromuscular techniques, trigger point therapy and various forms of stretching along with standard Swedish massage strokes.

What are the effects of Sports Massage?

Sports Massage can help; your muscles flush out toxins including lactic acid; increase nutrient absorption; improve flexibility and range of movement; breakdown adhesions and scar tissue that may be left from an injury; reduce pain, tension and tenderness; create a feeling of general relaxation and well-being.

Who can benefit from Sports Massage?

Sports Massage can benefit a variety of people. The name would suggest that it is designed for sports people but normal everyday people can benefit just as much. Everyone, not just sports persons, suffer from strains, sprains, injuries and general muscle tension. Office workers with poor posture, a job that involves driving for hours or that involves the same repetitive movements all day can contribute to aches, pains, tension and dysfunction. These issues can be alleviated by Sports Massage. For sports and exercise enthusiasts, Sports Massage can help reduce fatigue and DOMS after exercise or an event, help stimulate your body before an event, help prevent injury, aid injury recovery and promote flexibility. Some people get a massage when they have a specific issue but some regularly book in for a general maintenance massage.

Does Sports Massage hurt?

A person’s definition of pain varies greatly from individual to individual but Sports Massage should never be excruciatingly painful. At times when specific areas are being worked with certain techniques, there can be some discomfort experienced with possible bruising. You will be warned, the reasons will be explained to you and your consent will be gained beforehand. If the “pain” is too much then you should always let me know.

What should I wear during a massage?

You can wear shorts or underwear but in order to fully work the glutes you should wear nothing or at least something that allows access. A modesty covering will be provided.

What if I get an erection?

This is a concern for a lot guys. If it happens to you don’t freak out as it’s not uncommon. I am well aware of the unpredictable nature of the penis! It has nothing to do with sexuality or genuine arousal but it’s just your body’s natural response to the situation. I just carry on with the treatment and it will usually just pass.

What about confidentiality?

I do not discuss details about you, your body or your treatments with anyone including other staff or clients (even if they’re friends of yours).

After a massage?

You may feel a little light headed and thirsty but should feel relaxed. You should leave it a few minutes before driving. Drinking plenty of water after a massage is a good idea as this helps to flush out toxins that have been released from your muscles. You may feel the need to go to the toilet a little more which again is good as you are removing the body’s waste products. After deep work you may feel a little achy. I recommend you do not work out or do any strenuous activity for 24 hours after.

I’ve injured myself; will a massage make me better?

Some therapists make wild claim about their abilities and results that can be achieved with massage and complimentary therapies. I prefer honesty. Sports massage does not “cure” any injury or condition. It is however an effective tool in helping your body to heal itself and return to full function. Sports massage can be used effectively to help many conditions including:

IT band syndrome, runners knee, sprains, strains, tennis and golfers elbow, back pain, shoulder tension, frozen shoulder, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, whiplash, sciatica, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff issues and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Are there any reasons I can’t get a Sports Massage?

There are conditions, diseases and circumstances where massage is not recommended. They may restrict you from having certain areas of your body worked or may prevent massage all together. I will take you through a detailed health questionnaire on your first visit, please answer all questions honestly. This information remains confidential at all times.

The following conditions all require you get approval from your GP before getting any kind of massage treatment:

Cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), HIV/AIDS, severe diabetes, psoriasis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, impetigo, lice and mites, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, sinusitis, shingles, haemophilia, oedema, lymphangitis.

My back feels out of alignment, can you do “that thing” where you crack it back into place?

A massage therapist is qualified to work with the body’s soft tissue only. Manipulating and adjusting bones is outside of a massage therapist’s qualification. I work closely with Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists and I’m happy to refer you.

Are you qualified and insured?

I hold Active IQ (QCF) Certification in Sports Massage Therapy Level 4. I am fully insured by BABTAC.

Ideally any injury should be seen by a doctor at the first possible opportunity but in the case of minor injuries, like strains and sprains, most people chose to deal with them themselves. Strains are common injuries that often result from over-stretching a muscle. This “pull” on a muscle can cause little tears within the fibers of the muscle or tendon attachments. Sprains are similar but involve the damaging of ligaments that support your joints. Sprains are usually more painful with greater swelling and take longer to heal.

There are a few simple things you can do to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of lasting problems from a minor strain or sprain.

There are three stages of an injury; acute, sub-acute and chronic.

The acute stage often lasts up to 3 days after the initial injury. This stage is evident by pain, inflammation, swelling, redness and heat of the affected area. At this stage massage is not recommended and may cause more problems than it solves. Please follow the R.I.C.E. advice below.

Rest Ice Compression Elevate

Rest – This is very important for the first three days. This allows the repair process to begin without further stressing the tissues. It’s important to resist the temptation of moving the joint to “see if it still hurts”.

Ice – To be used as soon as possible after injury. Ice or frozen peas can be wrapped in a towel/cloth (direct contact with skin may cause damage) and placed on the affected area (not affected area placed on ice). Depending on the size of the area, contact should be maintained for 5-20 minutes and should be ideally repeated every 2 waking hours over the first few days. Iced skin should go a pale colour; if skin goes red then ice treatment time should be reduced.

Compression – Using a pad, compression should be applied immediately after injury to reduce bleeding in the area. Care should be taken to not restrict blood flow to other parts of the body so compression should not be applied around an entire limb.

Elevation – Elevating the affect area as much as possible will help lymphatic circulation and venous return. It will also immobilise the area and assist with rest.

After a few days once the inflammation and swelling has gone, the injury is now in the sub-acute stage. This lasts for up to three weeks after initial injury. Massage can now be introduced and can be beneficial to the healing process, minimising scar tissue formation and encouraging full range on movement back to the affected area. At this stage the “R” in R.I.C.E. can be replaced with “M”

Mobilisation – You can now begin to slowly reintroduce movements back to the affected area. This should always be done within your pain threshold. If you experience pain then ease off or stop moving the area and continue with I.C.E. It may take a while before you are able to move the area with the same range of movement as pre-injury. Once full range of movement has been returned then you can start with very light exercises that are within your pain threshold. These can start as non-weight exercise that build up to body weight then resistance.

Use of I.C.E. can be reduced over the sub-acute stage as it becomes no longer necessary.

Regular massage along with exercise and stretching are important over the chronic stage to develop strength, mobility and flexibility.