Sports Massage

Aiding recovery and enhancing performance

In all types of massage, the therapist has specific aims in mind, and in sports massage we focus on the individual needs of the athlete. With increasing numbers of people taking part in sport, combined with the increasing competitiveness and intensity of physical exercise, the demand for sports massage is also increasing and becoming more and more recognised as a skill which may aid recovery and enhance performance.

Sports massage does have some aims in common with other forms of massage and it is especially important to have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, and specifically the muscular and skeletal systems. By understanding these systems and the effects of exercise, we may also appreciate how massage may benefit the sports person and becomes an integral part of the athlete's training program.

Is oversue affecting your performance?

If you are looking to improve performance and increase your competitive edge you are likely to be adopting a training schedule to enhanceyour skill, strength, stamina, suppleness and speed. The degree to which you develop and utilise these qualities will depend on other factors such as level of competition, sport played, and possibly your position in your team. However, no matter which sport, the aim is nearly always to increase the level of training and thereby subject your body to gradual and controlled overuse.

It is this overuse that may often create problems and imbalances in the soft tissues. If these are ignored and allowed to become chronic, they will not only hinder your rate of improvement, but also in many cases your performance may well suffer and ultimately you may be susceptible to developing more conditions that are serious.

Benefits of sports massage

Massage, applied skilfully, is the most effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help you prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.

These muscle imbalances may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause you discomfort or impede performance. Our skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and by using the correct techniques, help you maintain a much healthier physical state.