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Sports Massage

Recovery, flexibility and injury prevention for active bodies

Sports massage is a results-driven treatment built around how the body is being used. It combines deep pressure with stretching, joint mobilisation and techniques such as muscle energy work and soft tissue release, and the therapist will usually assess posture and range of movement before starting.

Despite the name, it is not only for athletes. Runners and gym-goers use it to speed recovery and keep flexibility; office workers use it for the same reason, because sitting for eight hours loads the body as surely as training does. It is also the most common massage treatment used alongside physiotherapy for hamstring, calf, shoulder and lower-back problems.

Sessions are typically 30 minutes for a single area or 60 for a fuller treatment. Pre-event sessions are short and brisk; post-event and maintenance sessions are slower and deeper. Therapists holding a Level 4 sports massage qualification will say so on their profile.

Also known as: sports therapy massage, athletic massage, sports injury massage.

Sports Massage by city

LondonManchesterBirminghamNewcastleBrighton

Therapists and venues offering sports massage

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be an athlete to have sports massage?

No. Anyone with muscle tightness from repetitive use, whether that is running, lifting, cycling or sitting at a desk, benefits from it. The therapist adapts the depth and the areas worked to what your body actually does.

Can sports massage help with an injury?

It can help with muscular strains, tightness and recovery once the acute phase has passed, and many physiotherapists refer to sports massage therapists for exactly that. For a fresh injury with swelling or a suspected tear, see a doctor or physiotherapist first.

How much does sports massage cost?

Around £35 to £55 for thirty minutes and £50 to £85 for an hour, with London at the upper end. Level 4 qualified therapists and clinic settings tend to charge more.

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