Sports Massage Bristol

Unlocking the Benefits of Sports Massage for Athletes and Active Individuals in the Bristol area

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What is a Sports Massage

Sports massage is the skilled application of specific massage techniques by a sports therapist, including range of motion (ROM) movements or stretching, to achieve particular goals when treating clients who participate in regular physical activity.

This technique divides into three categories:

• Massage for injury care
• Event Massage (before, during and after)
• Training and injury prevention massage

Massage for injury care is rehabilitative and clinically focused.

Event massage does not typically include rehabilitative work. Instead, I perform it to help an athlete prepare just before the competition (pre-event massage), to maintain readiness during a multi-event competition (inter-event massage), and to recover following the competition (post-event massage).

Training/injury prevention massage is employed to assist the athlete during their regular training cycle to enhance recovery and to address the range of movement, issues and muscle imbalances that may contribute to the development of overuse injuries. A massage therapist aims to give a sports massage that achieves neuromuscular balance and flexibility, reducing muscle soreness and pain, and rehabilitating soft tissue injuries.
So if you are in the Bristol area with a sports injury, back pain or muscle tightness then don’t hesitate to call and book online with our clinic.

Sports Massage for Injury Care

Injured soft tissue progresses through a three-phase healing process (inflammatory, proliferative, and remodelling phases). Sports massage is beneficial during the second stage, the proliferative phase, in which I will apply gentle transverse strokes to help develop normal scarring and discourage the formation of unwanted cross-links or adhesions between layers of fascia. Also, I will act during the third phase (remodelling phase) by applying therapeutic movements combined with sports massage therapy to help optimise the remodelled tissue.

Type of injuries that Sports Massage by a massage therapist can treat :

• Achilles Tendon
• Lateral Ankle Sprain
• Groin Strain
• Hamstring Tendinopathy
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome
• Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain
• Peroneal (Fibularis) Tendinopathy
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Shin Splints
• Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Aches and pains

Injury prevention massage

I will perform a complete physical examination to determine which muscles are causing you pain to design an individual treatment plan and customise a treatment.

I recommend five sessions on a particular joint to get the best results and a long-term solution depending on your training programme/regime.

Sports or Remedial Massage might include (if it is beneficial for the treatment) Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM), Medical Acupuncture / Dry Needling, Therapeutic Ultrasound and Electrotherapy. Coming soon

Improve Posture

Massage helps release tension, particularly on the neck and shoulder, common areas for those who spend long hours sitting or using a computer at work. Lower backs are also prone to tightening from prolonged sitting. Sports massage can help remedy these problems by lengthening the muscles and balancing the out body for improved postural alignment.

Increase Joints Mobility

By releasing muscle tension around the joints, the range of movement increases. Many people suffering from acute and chronic conditions such as back and shoulder pain, arthritis, sciatica and general muscle overuse experience stiffness, discomfort, reduced flexibility and movement difficulties. Sports Massage therapy using stretching and mobilisation techniques can help reduce pain and stiffness and increase joint strength, stability, mobility and flexibility.

Relieve Pain

Tense muscles can cause severe chronic pain in the back, neck, shoulder, and knee areas. It can also cause referral pain, like headaches. Sports massage therapy can identify where the pain is coming from and what muscles are related so that I can apply the proper treatment to help with the symptoms and underlying issues.

Injury prevention and rehabilitation break down painful, restrictive scar tissue caused by injury or surgery.

Benefits of sports massage therapy for athletes

There are numerous benefits for athletes, including:

Improved flexibility and range of motion: Sports massage therapy can help stretch and loosen tight muscles, increasing the body’s range of motion and flexibility.

Enhanced muscle strength and endurance: Massage can help improve blood flow to the muscles, delivering more oxygen and nutrients, which can help increase muscle strength and endurance.

Improved circulation and oxygenation of muscles: Massage can help improve circulation, which can help increase the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, resulting in improved muscle function and performance.

Reduced muscle soreness and fatigue: Sports massage can help reduce muscle soreness and fatigue by decreasing muscle tension and promoting removing waste products from the muscles.

Reduced risk of injury: Massage can help improve flexibility and range of motion, which can help reduce the risk of muscle strains and other traumas.

Faster recovery: Massage can help accelerate the recovery process by reducing muscle soreness and fatigue and improving circulation and oxygenation of the muscles.

Benefits of sports massage therapy for non-athletes

Sports massage therapy is not just for athletes – it can also benefit non-athletes who want to improve their physical health and overall well-being. Some of the benefits of seeing sports therapists for non-athletes include:

Benefits in common with athletes: improved flexibility and range of motion, enhanced muscle strength and endurance, improved circulation and oxygenation of muscles and reduced muscle soreness and fatigue.

Plus

Reduced stress and tension: Massage can be a great way to relax and de-stress, helping to improve overall well-being.

Improved sleep: Massage can help relax the body and mind, promoting better sleep and overall well-being.

Relief from chronic pain: Massage can help alleviate chronic pain by decreasing back pressure and muscle tension and improving circulation.

Sports massage therapy can benefit anyone’s self-care routine, offering many physical and mental health benefits. Whether it is a pre event sports massage or post event sports massage.

Sports Massage Aftercare

Aftercare following a sports massage is an essential part of the recovery process and can help ensure that the massage’s benefits are long-lasting.
Some aftercare tips once you have visited a sports massage therapist include:

Drink plenty of water: It is vital to stay hydrated after a sports massage to help flush out any toxins released from the muscles during the massage.

Avoid heavy exercise: Avoid engaging in any heavy exercise or activities that could strain the muscles for at least 24 hours after a sports massage. Not doing exercise will allow the muscles to recover and rebuild fully.

Use ice or heat: Depending on the location and severity of the injury, it may be helpful to apply ice or heat to the skin at the affected area after a sports massage. Ice can help to reduce swelling and inflammation, while heat can help to relax the muscles and improve blood flow.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing: Tight or restrictive clothing can impede circulation to tissues and hinder recovery. It is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing after a sports massage to allow the muscles to relax and recover fully.

Get plenty of rest: It is crucial to get plenty of rest after sports massages or any deep tissue massage, to allow soft tissues in the body time to recover and rebuild. Take a day or two off from exercise or other physical activities.

What my Clients Say

Read what my clients say about my sports massages and why I am proud of them. Every feedback matters to me to maintain a high level of service and to keep offering the best massage treatments either to recover from a soft tissue injury or surgery or to treat yourself and relax your muscles.

“I had an excellent deep-tissue Sports Massage with Monika recently. As a cyclist and martial artist, I have had issues with my hamstrings being too tight. Monika told me what she needed to do and how and why. This was very informative, and I didn’t realise that the cause of my hamstring issue was related to my quad muscles. As well as an in-depth massage, she showed me some exercises to strengthen my hamstrings. I highly recommend Monika and will definitely use her services again.”

— V. T.

“Monika is absolutely brilliant. She is so knowledgeable and technical. I have had complex spinal surgeries, and I cannot recommend her Sports Massage more!
You will never look back.”

— S. H.

“Had a Sports Massage with Monika, and it’s helped my back and shoulders loads! She had a lot of knowledge of the areas she covered and gave me great advice! I would definitely recommend it.”

— A. S.

Read All the Reviews Here