Sports Massage in Cheltenham
massage therapy driven by science, delivered with care
Physiotherapy based Sports Massage was originally created to help athletes prepare their bodies for physical performance, to perform well during training and to recover after a sporting event. It doesn't matter whether you’re an athlete, a weekend runner, someone with a physically demanding job, or anyone experiencing muscle tightness, stiffness or fatigue, you will find sports massage treatment can help you move more freely and feel your best.
What is Physiotherapy Sports Massage?
Physiotherapy sports massage differs from traditional massage in that it focuses on the body's movement system, instead of solely relaxing you physically and mentally. It can be used to treat sports injuries, improve sporting performance and may even help in preventing future injuries.
- Relieves Muscle Tension – Loosens tight areas and reduces discomfort.
- Speeds Recovery – Helps your body heal faster after training or injury.
- Improves Flexibility – Keeps joints and muscles moving smoothly.
- Boosts Circulation – Encourages blood flow for better healing and energy.
- Prevents Injury – Regular massage can reduce the risk of strains and overuse injuries.
Physiotherapy sports massage isn’t just about relaxation, it plays a vital role in
rehabilitation after injury or surgery. By combining targeted massage techniques with physiotherapy, it helps speed recovery, reduce pain, and restore function.
what type of sports massage is right for you
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!
There are many different types of sports massage treatment and each one is designed to be suitable for a particular type of injury. Below is a brief summary and definition of the most popular sports massage techniques we use in our Cheltenham clinic and what they are used to treat.
Sports Injury Massage
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 also 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.
Receiving a sports massage helps break down scar tissue. Scar tissue is part of the body's healing process. The disruptive distribution of scar tissue commonly causes pain and often dysfunction.
Massage helps to increase tissue elasticity. Intense training can lead to hard and inelastic muscles and lead to poor efficiency. The increase of elasticity provides more flexibility and range of movement around a joint.
Sports Remedial Massage
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, or injuries of the knees and ankles.
By focusing on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are most commonly affected by physical activity, sports remedial massage aims to correct muscular imbalances and improve the overall function of the musculoskeletal system. Remedial massage uses different levels of pressure depending on the problem and the goal.
We usually combine remedial massage in our Cheltenham clinic with other physiotherapy services such as Pilates to provide a full rehabilitation service.
Deep tissue sports massage
Deep tissue sports massage therapy is designed to relax and lengthen these tissues, promoting injury recovery, pain relief and the restoration of proper posture and body mechanics.
It utilizes precise techniques that apply sustained pressure to targeted areas. Our massage therapists may use their elbows, fists and varied amounts of their body weight to achieve a deeper pressure than that typically found in other massage types. However, we will apply lighter pressure initially, and gradually increase as a way to warm up the body to access the deeper layers of tissue.
Before your deep tissue sports massage in our Cheltenham clinic starts, we 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.
Book now
At Straight Back Physio we believe in giving our patients the opportunity to engage and explain their injury history, lifestyle etc. to our physiotherapists therefore each new patient is given 45minutes on their first appointment with follow ups being 30 minutes in length.
Recover faster, our chartered physios can usually get you back to redoing the activities you can't do now within 4 to 8 sessions.
We understand that some people may want to find out a bit more about the cost before they book an appointment at our physiotherapy clinic. Our unique save as you recover packages can save you up to 20% on the cost of a single session.
Insured
For insured clients we can either work directly with your insurance provider or offer receipts for cash-based plans, allowing you to reclaim your expenses.
Not Covered by Insurance
If you want see the best physiotherapist in your area, feel free to book an appointment at our Cheltenham physiotherapy clinic without needing a referral from your GP.
Why Choose Us
No other local physiotherapy clinic can match our level of expertise and rehabilitation services, thanks to our extensive experience and in-house gym facilities. You'll receive the full benefits of physiotherapy through a tailored combination of interventions designed to guide you on your path to recovery.