No. Sports massage is available to anyone who feels it may help with muscular tightness, soreness or recovery.
Sports Massage in Huddersfield
Sports massage uses hands-on soft-tissue techniques to work on muscles and other soft tissues.
Despite its name, you do not need to be an athlete to book an appointment. Sports massage may be suitable for runners, gym users, sportspeople and anyone experiencing muscular tightness or general exercise-related soreness.
What is physiotherapy?
Sports massage generally involves firmer and more focused techniques than a relaxation massage.
The treatment is adapted to the area being treated, your comfort and the reason for your appointment. Pressure can always be adjusted, and the treatment should never feel unnecessarily painful.
Sports massage may be used:
- Following a period of training
- Between sporting events
- As part of general recovery
- When muscles feel tight or tired
- To complement a wider exercise programme
Massage does not "flush toxins" from the body or correct every injury. Its main role is to provide hands-on treatment that may help with short-term muscular comfort, relaxation and movement.
Who is sports massage suitable for?
Sports massage may be suitable for:
- Runners
- Cyclists
- Gym users
- Football, rugby and racket-sport players
- People preparing for an event
- People experiencing exercise-related muscle soreness
- Active people who prefer regular massage as part of their recovery routine
- Those in sedentary professions which involve a lot of static postures (e.g. standing or sitting for long periods of time)
If you have a new injury, unexplained pain, significant swelling, bruising or neurological symptoms, a physiotherapy assessment may be more appropriate than a sports-massage appointment.
What happens during an appointment?
At the beginning of the appointment, I will ask about:
- The area you would like treated
- Your current symptoms
- Recent training or activity
- Previous injuries
- Relevant health conditions and medication
The treatment will then focus on the agreed area. Techniques and pressure will be adjusted according to your preferences.
If your symptoms suggest that you would benefit from a more detailed examination, I may recommend booking a physiotherapy assessment.
Potential benefits of sports massage
Depending on the individual, sports massage may help with:
- Short-term relief of muscular tightness or soreness
- Relaxation following training
- Making movement feel more comfortable
- General recovery between training sessions
- Increased awareness of areas that may need further rehabilitation
Sports massage should complement sensible training, recovery, sleep and strength work rather than replace them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to play sport?
Is sports massage painful?
Sports massage can feel firm, but it should remain manageable. More pressure is not always better.
Please tell me if you would like the pressure changed at any point.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothing. Depending on the area being treated, you may be asked to expose part of the arm, leg or back, but your comfort and privacy will always be respected.
Can sports massage treat an injury?
Massage may be useful as one part of managing some problems, but it does not replace an assessment and rehabilitation programme.
If you have a new, persistent or recurring injury, book physiotherapy rather than sports massage.
Can I have a massage immediately before an event?
Massage can be adapted according to the timing of your event, but a particularly firm treatment immediately before competition may not be appropriate.
Please let me know about any upcoming event when booking.
How often should I have sports massage?
Book your 30-minute sports-massage appointment online, or contact the clinic if you would like to purchase the five-session package.