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Massage therapy is a focused and systematic hands-on treatment, targeting muscles that are used in a specific sport, occupation or everyday life. It uses various techniques to decrease muscle pain and improve recovery, as well as improve overall range of motion and flexibility to support safe and effective movement.

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A remedial or sports massage treatment is specifically tailored to an individual's needs. Some elements of massage therapy are used in other manual therapy settings and to treat conditions outside of sports as well (eg. sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, tension-type headaches). 

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Examples of techniques used in sports massage include:

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• Swedish style massage

• Effleurage (stroking)

• Petrissage (kneading)

• Compression

• Friction

• Tapotement (rhythmic striking)

• Vibration

• Gliding

• Stretching

• Percussion

• Trigger points

• Cupping 

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Benefits of massage therapy include:

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• Increased joint range of motion (ROM)

• Increased flexibility

• Reduced muscle tension and/or spasms

• Increased blood flow to tissues

• Increased elimination of exercise waste products (lactic acid)

• Decrease in recovery time between workouts

• Increased sense of well-being

• Decreased anxiety and improved mood

• Better sleep

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For the most part, remedial or sports massage is safe with very few side effects. Potential side effects of sports massage include tenderness or stiffness for one to two days after a therapy session.

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If you have any concerns regarding your health status and whether massage therapy is right for you, please feel free to contact us to discuss further, or speak with your GP.