Hatt Clinic
September 14, 2017
SPORTS MASSAGE
Expert sports massage to keep you on your game
Maybe you’re a runner, swimmer, cyclist or triathlete. Or perhaps you prefer racket sports or team games.
Whatever activity you do and whatever your training goals, regular sports massage can help. By countering muscle fatigue and maintaining flexibility to speed recovery, prevent injury and keep you performing at your best.
If you have an injury, sports massage will help your muscles repair themselves in the best and most resilient way possible. This means they’ll heal properly and won’t be restricting your movement.
Hatt Clinic’s multi-skilled clinicians combine sports massage with a range of other treatments and techniques. Giving you a fully personalised plan that meets your individual needs and will help you reach your goals safely.
To start improving your recovery times and performance, book a Massage and Manual Therapy appointment at our clinic in Devizes, Frome or Marlborough.
About sports massage
Athletic activities need athletic massage.
When you’re pushing yourself physically, you need targeted massage that responds to your movements and revitalises your muscles between activities.
Sports massage is a deep massage. It can be used anywhere on the body, but predominantly targets the tissue in the legs, back, shoulders and chest.
It allows you to continue training and building your resilience without overloading yourself or fatiguing your body.
Is sports massage just for sports people?
Sports massage is often used preventatively by athletes and sports people. And it can help to heal common sporting injuries, like torn muscles.
But it’s not exclusively for sports people and it can help anyone to recover from injury and restore their range of movement.
What techniques are used in sports massage?
Sports massage uses a range of hands-on massage techniques and tools.
Effleurage, in which the therapist uses their palms, fingers or thumbs to make long, sweeping strokes that follow the contours of your body. The pressure can be varied according to your needs.
Petrissage, which is used to improve circulation, break up tension and stretch the muscle fibres. The therapist uses a kneading technique to lift and squeeze your skin and muscles.
Percussion, which involves striking the muscle to increase blood flow, break up muscle knots and reduce muscle soreness.
Cupping, in which the therapist uses suction to attach plastic cups to different parts of your body. This adds pressure to the tissue, reducing tension in the muscle, boosting blood flow, and improving your range of movement.
Hot stone massage, which involves placing hot stones on different parts of your body. This radiates heat through the tissue and has a soothing effect.
Blades, in which the therapist uses blunted stainless steel tools to desensitise the area, stimulate blood flow and release tension from the muscle.
When to book a sports massage
You can benefit from a sports massage:
- Before an event — to activate muscles and improve performance
- After exercise — to speed recovery and reduce soreness
- During training — to maintain muscle health and prevent injury
- As part of you regular routine — to keep your body moving well.
Our therapists will tailor each session to your needs and goals. That might be improving your mobility, easing tight areas, or helping you bounce back from a tough workout.
Book your sports massage at Hatt Clinic
If you’re experiencing muscle tightness, training for an event or simply want to stay active and injury-free, sports massage could be exactly what your body needs.
Start improving your health and movement today.
What it’s like to be a patient at Hatt Clinic
Our Massage & Manual Therapy Clinics
Marlborough
Book a massage and manual therapy appointment at our Marlborough clinic in Hughenden Yard.
Sports Massage FAQs
How long will it take to improve?
You should feel the benefit after every treatment, but the lasting results you’re looking for will typically take more time.
The exact length of time will depend on your body, the specific issue we’re treating, and how you respond to the treatment. Your massage therapist should be able to advise you when they can see how your treatment is progressing.
Will I have to stop training or competing?
Not necessarily. If you’re in training or have a goal you’re working towards, your massage therapist should be able to advise you on how to continue safely.
Is sports massage painful?
People often expect sports massage to be painful or think it has to hurt if it’s going to do any good. But that’s not necessarily the case.
Hatt Clinic’s experienced massage therapists are mindful to gauge the right pressure for your needs. And they’ll communicate with you throughout the massage so they can manage any discomfort.
How long should I allow for my appointment?
The initial appointment is 45 minutes. After that, appointments are usually 45 minutes, but you can choose a 30-minute session if you want to focus on a specific issue, or 60-minute appointment if you prefer.
What should I expect during my first appointment?
During the initial appointment, your massage therapist will go through your medical history and look for any red flags they need to consider.
If you want to use sports massage preventatively, they’ll ask you about your activities, needs and goals.
If you have an injury, they’ll ask you when it happened, what caused it, when it flares up and what aggravates it. And they’ll work through your symptoms and pain levels. This will help determine what you can’t do anymore and what your goals are for the treatment.
What should I bring/wear to my appointment?
Please bring a towel with you to your appointment as you may be asked to remove clothing.
You should wear something that allows us to treat you without causing any restriction. Short, baggy shorts and a strappy top are perfect.
You may also be asked to remove your top. For women, a regular bra works better than a sports bra as it’s less restrictive.
Do you use products and, if so, what kind?
We mainly use grapeseed oil with sage, rosemary and marjoram added to it.
If you’re allergic to natural oils, let your massage therapist know and they’ll find a suitable alternative.
Will I be sore after treatment?
You should find you feel better and move better. Your muscles might feel a little sore, but this is only temporary and shouldn’t last more than a day.
Are there any aftercare recommendations with this treatment?
After treatment, you should keep hydrated and follow any given exercises.
In some cases you may also be asked to rest up and limit your exercise for a period.
Start improving your health and movement today.
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