What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit a person engaged in regular physical activity, people recovering from injury or wanting to prevent injury or those of us which suffer the occasional aches and pains. Soft tissue is connective tissue that has not hardened into bone and cartilage; it includes skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a form of connective tissue). Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissues that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. It may be used prior to and after exercise with benefits including enhanced performance, improved recovery and Injury prevention.
What is Sports Therapy?
Sports Therapy entails a higher level of training that includes a wider set of skills and supporting knowledge. Sports therapy is a form of diagnostic manual therapy and can include:
- Sports massage
- Biomechanics analysis
- Injury assessment and treatment
- Gait analysis
- Rehabilitation from injury
The general area a sports therapist will work on is to help individuals and teams progress from being able to perform normal daily physical functions to sporting and highly skilled activities.
Sports Massage Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sports massage?
A sports massage is a specialised form of deep massage therapy designed to cater to many demographics, from athletes and active individuals to sedentary desk based workers. It focuses on optimising skeletal movement, preventing injuries, and aiding in recovery of soft tissues. This type of massage combines various techniques tailored to address the specific demands placed on the body by different sports, physical activities and general day to day life.
Can I exercise after a sports massage?
This is usually dependent on the intensity of both massage and planned exercise. Very deep massage and high intensity exercise afterwards can increase soreness and sometimes hamper performance, whereas lighter massage to stimulate blood flow can actually be beneficial. Do discuss your goals from your session with your therapist to allow them to guide you and to tailor the session to your needs.
Does a sports massage hurt?
No. They do have degrees and are fully qualified to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. We are trained to be a first contact for you to see with any disorders that involve bones, nerves, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues.
Does sports massage improve performance?
Yes! Whether you’re a casual runner or elite athlete, sports massage can help with performance and recovery in many ways, along with helping to prevent injuries and down time away from activity. Sports massage can help to;
- Improved Blood Circulation
Sports massage promotes better blood flow to muscles, which increases oxygen and nutrient delivery while removing metabolic waste products. This enhanced circulation helps muscles function more efficiently, reducing fatigue and improving endurance. - Enhanced Flexibility and Range of Motion
Regular sports massage sessions can increase flexibility and joint range of motion. By addressing muscle tightness and releasing adhesions in connective tissues, athletes can achieve greater movement efficiency, which is crucial for performance in many sports. - Reduction of Muscle Soreness and Fatigue
Post-exercise sports massage helps in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle fatigue. This quicker recovery means athletes can train more consistently and with higher intensity, leading to better performance over time. - Injury Prevention
By identifying and treating muscle imbalances and areas of tension before they lead to injury, sports massage helps prevent injuries that can sideline athletes. Maintaining muscle health and flexibility reduces the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other common sports injuries. - Muscle Recovery and Rehabilitation
For athletes recovering from injury, sports massage can aid in the rehabilitation process by reducing scar tissue formation, improving tissue elasticity, and speeding up the healing of injured muscles and connective tissues. Faster recovery times allow athletes to return to their peak performance levels more quickly.
How does sports massage complement other therapies and treatments?
Sports massage can be used in conjunction with many other therapies, including all that are offered at Parker & Jones. We will always promote whole body recovery and maintenance of positive changes that have been made. Many of our patients, often having seen our physiotherapists, acupuncturists or osteopath, use sports massage as an overall maintenance. We often find that day-to-day activity, jobs and responsibilities are the reason for acute and chronic pain. Keeping your muscles in great shape with regular sports massage can keep you able to withstand the strains of day to day (that we know you can’t always just stop).
How does sports massage reduce pain and stress?
There are many mechanisms that can alter both pain and stress levels when receiving sports massage. Deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy can improve muscle tone/tension and release knots that can be causing pain. It has also been shown that massage can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) in the body, along with increasing the stimulation of your parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of your body that helps to slow your heart rate and increase the feeling of being relaxed.
How long is a sports massage?
We offer sessions of 30, 45 and 60 minutes. We often recommend at least 45 minutes (ideally 60) for new clients, as our therapists will need to take some details from you and a brief medical history.
We also recommend a longer session (45-60 mins) if you would like to have multiple areas of your body worked on. This means that meaningful changes can be made without moving around to other tissues too soon.
How much is a sports massage?
How often should I get a sports massage?
This is very much personal to you. Your daily life, exercise intensity/frequency and your goals will all play a part. Our therapists may recommend coming relatively soon after your first session (1-2 weeks) to make meaningful changes that can then be managed on a much more intermittent basis. Most of our clients will visit monthly, but we do see people multiple times a month, and sometimes a few times per year. We can guide you with our years of experience, but the final decision will always be down to your preference.
How to prepare for a sports massage?
All you need to do it arrive a few minutes before your appointment with (or already wearing) loose fitting clothes that allow our therapists to access the area that you would like them to work on.
Is sports massage good for lower back pain?
Sports massage can be a very effective way to manage lower back pain. A large percentage of pain felt in the area is actually from the soft tissues around the spine. Managing this can help with flexibility and localised pain. If our therapists think that you many need to be assessed by another professional, they are able to refer you, in house, to our other MSK (musculoskeletal) therapists.
Where to get a sports massage near me?
We offer sports massage at both of our clinics, in Brecks and Braithwell. We are easily accessible for people in the surrounding areas and have free onsite parking at both locations.
