What is Sports Massage?
A sports massage therapist focuses on the management and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body. More and more people are realising that a complete workout routine includes not only the exercise itself, but also caring for the wear-and-tear and minor injuries that naturally occur with strenuous activity. Treatment involves an individually tailored soft tissue massage to treat the stress, tension and fatigue that occurs through occupational, recreational or sporting activities. The sports massage therapist may also give advice on stretching or strengthening exercises as appropriate to work in conjunction with treatment.

What are the benefits of sports massage?
Whether injured or not, massage should play an important part in the life of any sportsperson.

Sports Massage may involve maintenance techniques that promote athletic performance, reduce recovery time and reduce injury risk, pre- and post-event massage, and rehabilitation massage for those who are injured.

• Maintenance: By working on particular muscle groups, the sports massage therapist can help the athlete maintain/improve range of motion and muscle flexibility. The overall objective of a maintenance program is to help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free training.
  
  
• Event Massage: Pre-event massage focuses on warming-up muscles, stimulating circulation, reducing excess muscle and mental tension and preparing the athlete for optimal performance while reducing the chances of injury. Post-event sports massage is concerned with recovery and reduces the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise.
  
  
• Rehabilitation Massage: Even with preventive maintenance injury does occur. Sports massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort during the rehabilitation process. Soft tissue techniques employed by sports massage therapists can be effective in the management of both acute and chronic injuries.

A number of physical, physiological and psychological benefits are associated with sports massage including:

• Improved circulation & lymphatic flow
• Optimises supply of nutrients and oxygen and assists in the removal of metabolic waste
• Improves flexibility by influences muscle tone/length and assisting in the breakdown/remodelling of scar tissue
• Helps to reduce pain, muscle tension and swelling
• Aids rehabilitation after injury and helps prevent re-injury
• Releases stress, tension and anxiety
• Improves training and performance and reduces recovery time between workouts/events
• Enhances postural and general body awareness
• Aids mental preparation for sporting participation

Who can benefit from sports massage?
Anyone who routinely pushes themselves to physical limits can benefit from sports massage. If you are an sportsperson, massage can have an enormous impact on your performance - regular treatments can allow you to train to your full potential and recover optimally.

You don't however, have to be a sportsperson to feel the benefits of sports massage. Muscular tension, stress and fatigue can affect all of us, whether we are athletes, DIY fanatics, gardeners, busy housewives, or stressed executives. We have all experienced soreness, strain, bruising, tightness, pain or weakness in a muscle following activity. Massage can improve the condition of muscles and alleviate these symptoms.

What happens during a treatment?
The first appointment will consist of a comprehensive examination during which your sports massage therapist will collect important information about your current condition and other relevant health problems. This will be followed by an appropriate physical examination to determine a course of treatment. At the end of the assessment your sports massage therapist will explain the examination findings to you and discuss the proposed treatment plan which will normally begin straight away.

Price List
Initial consultation £30.00
Routine treatment (1 hour) £30.00
Routine treatment (1/2 hour) £25.00