Sports Massage

Sports massage is ideal for recovery after injury, or to alleviate muscle stress and tension.

What is Sports Massage?

A specific type of massage therapy, the sports massage is a targeted therapeutic treatment whose prime purpose is to help alleviate stress and tension which often builds up in the body’s soft tissues as a result of regular physical activity. The ‘soft tissue’ includes muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a band of connective tissue, mainly collagen, which serves to attach, stabilise and separate muscles and internal organs). During a massage, a variety of pressure is applied to the body, some techniques used are similar to those in other types of massage, although, in the sports massage, pressure is typically deeper and more intense, penetrating further into the body’s soft tissues to release tension and reduce the build-up of any trigger points. Stretching techniques may also be involved to help lengthen short and tense muscles.

A skilled massage therapist should be well qualified, display a detailed understanding of the body’s anatomy and physiology and be able to identify problem areas.

Why Is Sports Massage Beneficial?

Sports massage therapy is used in both the recovery and prevention of injury. Its application, before and after exercise can offer numerous benefits such as increased flexibility, reduced pain and tension, performance enhancement, improved recovery rate, overall relaxation and better circulation, to name but a few.

Who Is Sports Massage For?

Sports massage is suitable for anybody, not just professional athletes. Individuals involved in any type of exercise, or those with an occupation which is either physically demanding or produces emotional or postural stress, can also benefit considerably from a massage.

Note* sports massage may not suitable for those with a medical condition, illness or pregnant women – it is important to check with the therapist prior to treatment.

How Often Is a Sports Massage Necessary?

Maintenance Massage

Regular massage therapy offers multiple physical and psychological benefits, aiding in relaxation and general wellbeing, helping to maintain and improve flexibility and range of movement, as well as improving recovery time post-exercise.

Rehabilitation

Sports massage therapy is highly effective in the management of both chronic and acute injuries and for alleviating aches and pains. It can reduce painful symptoms and encourage the body to heal more quickly by boosting circulation and the immune system.

Professional Athletes

Most professional athletes view sports massage as an integral part of their training and care program. On-site event massages are typically divided into pre and post-event therapies. Pre-event massages aim to help the athlete warm-up and reduce any tension before the event, whereas post-event massages focus on reducing muscle spasms and pain which often occur as a result of vigorous exercise. This subsequently helps to enhance the body’s own recovery process.

Get In Touch Today

Are tight muscles hampering your performance? The faster you recover, the faster you can get back to training. Whether you have completed an event and are suffering from muscle pain, or you are preparing for a sporting challenge, massage can help you stretch out the tight tissue in your legs, shoulders and back. All elite athletes swear by the process and it is considered to be helpful in performance.

All of our physiotherapists are trained in sports massage therapy and can be as firm or as light as you can bear! For more information, get in touch today to talk to a member of our professional team.

The Experts…

Ramita Kudhail

BSc (Hons)

Sport & Exercise Scientist

Since studying Sport and Exercise Science and graduating from the University of Hertfordshire in 2015, I have continued to study and have furthered my skills with qualifications in Sports Rehabilitation Injuries, Personal Training, mat Pilates and have experience with GP Exercise Referrals and Special Population Groups.

I am a member of BASES, REPs and CIMSPA, accrediting me to be a Senior Health Practitioner.

Over the years, I have developed a passion and take pride in alleviating pain and enabling patients to recover and rehabilitate fully from injuries. I aim to identify the underlying postural causes of any dysfunction or symptom, and use a wide range of techniques that are adapted and specific to the needs of the individual client.

My approach is to create a functional, pain free, healthy lifestyle for all clients and my aim is to help them achieve their goals.

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Catherine “Kate” Robertson

MSc MCSP

Advanced Practice Physiotherapist

Achieved a distinction in her Physiotherapy Masters in Sports Injury and Therapy from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2003. She works very closely with the Orthopaedic Consultants at St George’s Hospital, London and at Frimley NHS Trust. She has over 20 years experience in assessing and treating all musculoskeletal patients.

Clinically she works as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) in Orthopaedic Spine Clinic and performs peripheral injections and spinal injections in the NHS. She completed her Diploma in Injection Therapy at the University of Hertfordshire in 2012 and finds that using corticosteroid injections as an adjunct to physiotherapy can be exceptionally useful and successful. Kate completed her non-medical Independent Prescribing course from the University of Brighton in 2017 and therefore has the qualification to prescribe medications where appropriate.

Kate has an excellent knowledge base for treating lower limb injuries and assessing biomechanical issues. Due to her Masters qualification, she enjoys treating all sporting injuries and she specialises in ACL reconstruction and post op knee rehabilitation, and has a particular interest in biomechanical and gait assessments. She worked in Val d’Isere for 2 seasons and has therefore treated numerous skiing injuries. Her NHS work ensures that she provides research based spinal treatments and takes a holistic approach to all patients to help them achieve their goals.

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Alexandra Kallistratou

MSc MMACP MCSP

Physiotherapy Specialist

Alexandra is passionate about her job as a physiotherapist. She finished her masters at Coventry University in 2012 and since then she has been working in various private physiotherapy clinics.

Her areas of expertise include musculoskeletal overuse conditions and sports injuries, and she has a specific interest in spinal and shoulder joint pathologies.

Alexandra combines various treatments techniques in order to achieve the treatment goals, including manual therapy techniques, trigger point release, acupuncture and exercise prescription.

She has a particular interest in research, providing all her patients with evidence based practice and up to date physiotherapy techniques, and she hopes to finish her PhD soon!

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Anica Coetsee

MSc MCSP

Physiotherapy Specialist

Anica graduated as a physiotherapist from Stellenbosch University (South Africa) in 2009. After graduating she focussed her career on Musculo-skeletal conditions and completed a Certificate in OMT (OrthopaedicManipulative Therapy) in 2012 and thereafter her Master’s degree in Physiotherapy in 2015. She is also an APPI trained Pilates instructor.

She has worked in different private practice settings and has always embraced working closely with the healthcare team. She also worked with a University Rugby Club in South Africa.

Since becoming a mother in 2019 she has grown her interest in Pelvic Health and is expanding her skillset in this area.

She believes in treating clients holistically with the aim being getting to the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms. She believes movement and exercises are key factors in this and loves empowering her patients to improve quality of life and getting back to doing the things they love.

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