Sports Massage In
Bagshot & Lightwater

If you are experiencing pain or issues due to pregnancy, we recommend checking in with our Women’s Health Physiotherapist Vanesha for an initial consultation first. This way, Vanesha can diagnose and treat your issue using her specialist knowledge and various treatment techniques such as massage. She can also then safely liaise with our massage therapist so that treatment can continue to be targeted towards specific muscle groups that are contributing to your pain in a safe and effective way. To find out more about our Women’s Health and Pregnancy Physiotherapy service click here. 

Sports massage at Physica Health can improve athletic performance in several ways:

Firstly, sports massage can help reduce muscle tension, soreness, and fatigue, which can all limit your ability to perform at your best. By promoting muscle relaxation, sports massage can help improve range of motion and flexibility, allowing you to move more freely and efficiently. This can also reduce the risk of injury and improve recovery time after exercise or competition.

Secondly, sports massage can improve circulation, which can help deliver nutrients and oxygen to your muscles more efficiently. This can help enhance your endurance and energy levels during exercise, allowing you to perform for longer periods of time with less fatigue.

Finally, sports massage can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on athletic performance. By promoting relaxation and reducing tension, sports massage can help improve mental focus and concentration, allowing you to perform at your best under pressure.

At Physica Health, we view sports massage as a useful and effective treatment in itself but also a great adjunct to Physiotherapy. Patients that are undergoing rehabilitation can benefit from sports massage while others who are fully active again can find it a great treatment for maintenance. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment can often provide the most comprehensive and effective care for sports injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Sports massage can complement physiotherapy and other treatments in several ways:

1. Reducing muscle tension: Sports massage can help to relax and reduce tension in the muscles, making it easier for the physiotherapist to perform manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilisation, and stretching.
2. Increasing circulation: Sports massage can help to increase blood flow and circulation to the muscles, which can improve healing and reduce inflammation. This can help to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, such as ultrasound therapy or heat therapy.
3. Improving range of motion: Sports massage can help to improve flexibility and range of motion in the muscles and joints. This can complement the stretching and strengthening exercises that are often prescribed by physiotherapists to help restore normal movement and function.
4. Reducing pain: Sports massage can help to alleviate pain and discomfort associated with muscle tension, injuries, or conditions such as arthritis. This can improve the effectiveness of other treatments such as acupuncture, pain medications, or joint injections.
5. Enhancing overall wellness: Sports massage can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety, which can complement other treatments for mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

The frequency of sports massage will depend on a number of factors, including your individual needs and goals, your level of physical activity, and any specific conditions or injuries you may have. In general, sports massage can be done on a regular basis in order to maintain your current level of activity or help when training load increases.

For athletes or active individuals who are training regularly, getting a sports massage once a week or every two weeks can be beneficial to help maintain muscle health, reduce muscle tension, and prevent injury. However, the frequency of massage sessions may vary depending on the intensity and duration of your training, as well as your overall fitness level.

For those with specific injuries or chronic conditions, a more individualised treatment plan may be necessary to help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Some people prefer to wear athletic or workout clothing, such as shorts and a tank top or sports bra, as this type of clothing is designed to be flexible and breathable. This type of clothing can also make it easier for the massage therapist to access and work on specific areas of the body, such as the back, shoulders, and legs.
Alternatively, you may choose to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing such as sweatpants and a t-shirt. It is important to keep in mind that clothing with zippers, buttons, or other hard or sharp objects may be uncomfortable during the massage and should be avoided.

During the massage, you will typically be covered with a sheet or towel to maintain your privacy and warmth. The massage therapist will only uncover the area of the body they are working on at the time, and will always maintain professional boundaries and respect your privacy.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, and that allows for easy movement and access to the areas of the body that will be worked on during the massage.

Sports massage can help alleviate lower back pain by reducing muscle tension, improving blood flow to the affected area, and promoting relaxation. It can also help to reduce inflammation and increase range of motion.

If you are unsure of the cause and how to manage your back pain, we would recommend booking in with one of our Specialist Physiotherapists first for a full assessment and management advice. Based on this, the Physiotherapist can recommend the best course of treatment whether it be further hands-on Physiotherapy, exercise, sports massage, or a combination of these.

At Physica Health we pride ourselves on working and communicating as a team to ensure the patient is benefitting from our combined knowledge and experience.

Our massage therapist will discuss your issue in depth and may have some questions or quick tests to carry out to assess what massage interventions may be best suited to your needs and where.

Swedish massage is a traditional relaxation massage that aims to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension. It involves using long, gliding strokes, kneading, and circular movements on the topmost layers of the muscles. The therapist may also use passive joint movements and stretching techniques to enhance the massage’s benefits.

Sports massage as carried out at Physica Health, on the other hand, is a type of massage specifically designed for aches and pains such as those suffered by athletes and active individuals engaged in sports and physical activities. Its primary goal is to help prevent and treat injuries, improve flexibility, and enhance athletic performance. Sports massage involves a combination of techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and stretching. It also includes specific techniques that focus on problem areas commonly associated with a particular sport or physical activity.

In summary, while both Swedish massage and sports massage involve manipulating soft tissues to promote relaxation and relieve tension, Swedish massage is a general relaxation massage, whereas sports massage is more focused on addressing specific needs related to sports or physical activities.