Sports Massage

Let's start with getting the common misconception out the way first, "Sports Massage is just for sports professionals.' This is not the case Sports massage techniques are suitable for both sports people and non-athletes alike and can help with injuries, chronic pain, muscle aches and restricted range of motion in all of us!

​

Sports massage can help with (to name a few):

• Acute and chronic lower back pain and sciatica

• Neck pain, cervicogenic headaches, migraine prevention

• Sports injuries including: cramp, tennis and golfer’s elbow

• Frozen shoulder and other shoulder pain

• Hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis

• Fibromyalgia, rheumatic pain, digestive and circulatory problems

​

The treatment can also help relieve many day to day problems such as repetitive strain injury, sprains, work related tension and fatigue. Nearly all of us must have stood up after a long stint at a desk or sitting in one position and felt the need to stretch arms, legs or backs – it is this natural desire of the body to have it's tissues in a flexible state that a regular massage can help with.

​

Sports massage therapy entails a registered therapist having a high level of training that includes a wide set of skills and supporting knowledge. A sports massage therapist will evaluate your posture, mobility and the bodies bio-mechanics to help solve the root cause of your problem. They will use a ‘hands on’ treatment technique which involves the mobilising and manipulation of the bodies soft tissue and myofascial structures.

​

Why have a Sports Massage?

There are a number of reasons why you would want to have a sports massage, as there are not only physiological and psychological advantages, but there are physical aspects to consider too. Some benefits include:

• Pain relief – massage can reduce the feeling of pain throughout your muscles by releasing endorphins. These endorphins which are released due to this type of massage help towards decreasing anxiety, mood improvement and pain relief.

• Feelings of relaxation – throughout a session, heat is generated throughout the muscle which allows them to relax.

• Reduction in anxiety – through the release of endorphins in muscles through heat, overall relaxation is encouraged, thus reducing anxiety levels.

• Invigoration – with massage often involving fast paced movements and stretches, this can produce a feeling of invigoration.

• Increase in flexibility – throughout a massage, the muscle tissue expands and stretches in a number of different ways allowing for stored pressure to be released.

• Prevent or relieve DOMS – otherwise known as delayed onset of muscle soreness, is assisted by the enhancing blood flow delivering fresh oxygen to the injury area.

• Increased blood flow – the circulation of blood is enhanced to the muscle area through massage, in a similar way to exercise. The main difference being that deep tissue massage causes your blood vessels to become wider, increasing the ability of nutrients to flow through.

• Scar tissue break down – previous injuries may result in the creation of scar tissue and can affect muscles and tendons. An increase in scar tissue can then lead to a higher risk of injury in that area, massage has the ability to break it down.