Sports Massage was developed to help athletes prepare their bodies for physical performance to perform well during training and to recover after a sporting event. The main goal of treatment is prevention and to heal injuries of the muscles and tendons. However, sports massage is also beneficial for anyone with injuries, chronic pain or a restricted range of movement.
Sports massage can range from gentle and relaxing to deep and intense, all depending on the goals of the session and your specific needs. Whilst you might feel some discomfort or mild pain, it shouldn't be excessively painful or unbearable. It is important to note that this is a temporary response, and we can customise the treatment to your specific needs whilst still providing an effective outcome.
You might be thinking what is the difference between a sports massage and the relaxing massage you might have previously had at a spa? You might also ask is sports massage just for sporty people, or are they all just fancy names for the same thing? Well not quite!
Many people might think that this is reserved for athletes, however it can have many benefits for anyone including tradesmen, people stuck behind a desk, and stay at home parents alike. This type of massage is commonly used to aid recovery from physical activity, but it can be used to treat niggling pains in the neck when we are sitting behind a desk all day, or that twinge in the shoulder you got when playing with the kids.
Although some deep tissue massage techniques may be a little uncomfortable the treatment is about getting relief and relaxation from any prior muscular discomfort and to promote a faster recovery.
Sports remedial massage is used specifically in the rehabilitation process of various issues such as posture issues from working at a desk, sciatica, chronic low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, sporting injuries, repetitive strain injury, or injuries of the knees and ankles.
Remedial massage uses different levels of pressure depending on the problem are and the goal of the treatment. Remedial massage focuses on healing injuries and relieving chronic pain.
Sports massages can also be of great benefit when used in conjunction with physiotherapy treatments, Pilates classes or as part of a rehabilitation program.
Deep tissue sports massage is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and sports injuries. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues. This helps to break up scar tissue that forms following an injury and reduce tension in muscle and tissue.
Before your deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will want to know about your problem. A deep tissue massage can involve your entire body or it can concentrate on just one area. It’s not unusual to have some soreness for a few days following a massage, but the use of a heating pad or a cold pack wrapped in a towel may help to relieve any soreness you may encounter.