Sports Massage at bodytonic clinic, London

Sports massage has a number of physical, physiological and psychological benefits. As well as helping the body to recover from any injuries incurred as a result of strenuous physical activity. A course of therapy also has a role to play in any athlete or sportsperson’s long-term injury prevention strategy and will bolster their health and fitness routine.

Setting aside time for regular massage treatment can help to improve performance, mobility and overall long-term well-being. We also recommend consulting we our sports massage therapists alongside physiotherapists or osteopaths.  Our therapists are highly qualified and well versed in both anatomy and physiology. The physical benefits of sports therapy include:

Pain reduction

Sports massage therapy removes the tension and waste products in the body which cause pain, as well as helping to release the body’s natural endorphins.

Improved circulation and delivery of nutrients to the muscles

Our soft tissue therapists utilise bodywork techniques which help increase muscular blood flow, allowing nutrients to pass through to them more easily. Through this process, muscle soreness can be reduced.

Breakdown of scar tissue

As a result of strenuous physical activity, scar tissue can develop within the muscles and soft tissue. This scar tissue is typically inelastic and can restrict range of motion and mobility. A course of treatment from one of our sports therapists or deep tissue therapists will be useful in breaking down the scar tissues of the body which helps to increase blood flow to supply muscles and tissues.

Reducing stress in the connective tissues

Our Sports massage and soft tissue therapists additionally perform manipulation and stretches on the muscles fibres and connective  tissues, with the aim of releasing stress and built-up pressure. Intense sports training can cause tissues to become hard and inflexible. Stretching the muscle tissues can help to reverse this inflexibility.

Reducing stress and anxiety

Sports massage is useful for reducing anxiety and stress, which helps to improve mood and overall sports performance.

Our sports massage therapists perform a range of techniques which are always tailored to our clients’ physical needs and situation. Through application of these bodywork techniques, we aim to reduce the risk of injury, ease muscle tension and get you back to regular physical activity effectively and efficiently – getting you better, quicker!

• Myofascial release

• Soft tissue therapy and manipulation

• Neuromuscular / Trigger point tecnhiques

• Deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage technique are techniques which require firm pressure in order to reach deeper layers of muscle tissue, surrounding connective tissues and tendons. Through application of deep tissue massage therapy, scar tissue, muscle knots and muscle adhesions can be broken down.

• Lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage techniques can be applied by sport massage therapists. These techniques are typically very light in pressure. Strokes are generally long, gentle, and rhythmic. The purpose of these techniques is to reduce toxins in the body through improved lymph flow . Lymphatic massage has also been proven to prevent swelling which can occur following surgery or injury.

• Reflexology

Reflexology techniques require pressure applied to both the hands and the feet. Reflexing areas in the feet and hands can elicit positive benefits on organs and other parts of the body via the nervous system. Reflexology techniques can prevent and reduce pain, discomfort and tension in the feet.

• Promotion of muscle growth and development

• Rehabilitation and stretching advice for the home

• The physical benefits of sports massage make it a valuable training aid, as well as a much needed boost to your overall health and well-being. A course of therapy can augment and enhance a regular training schedule and brings the following benefits:
• Increased blood flow
• Reduction in muscle soreness
• Increased supply of nutrients to the muscles and surrounding tissues
• Improved joint range of motion
• Breaks down scar tissue which can occur as a result of training
• Pre-event massage can invigorate the muscle in preparation fo exercise
• Post event massage can assist in the removal of waste products
• Prevents occurrence of sports injury
• Improves overall performance
• Provides a clearer understanding of muscles and stretching

Before booking a course of  therapy, it’s worth bearing in mind whether it’s the right treatment for you. We also offer deep tissue massage as a service at Bodytonic, and there are similarities between the two services.

A good course of remedial massage and deep tissue therapy can help to alleviate chronic pain, stiffness or tension. Deep  massage treatment will often seek to simply relieve muscle pain, tightness and abnormality as well as relieve stress and promote overall wellbeing. However, it also has rehabilitation benefits for people who are seeking relief from sports-related injuries.

By contrast sports massage therapy is more carefully tailored to treating the common muscle injuries, strains and weaknesses brought about by regular sporting or athletic activity. However, it is worth mentioning that you do not have to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports massage therapy.

• Both sports massage and deep tissue therapy use firm pressure to release reduce muscle tension, improve circulation and promote overall flexibility.
• Both therapies are helpful in improving overall physical and physiological wellbeing, as well as reducing overall stress and anxiety.
• Deep tissue and sports massage are both treatments which can help the body recover from physical injury.
• During a sports massage however, the massage therapist might utilise a wider range of techniques, including active and passive stretching to help realign and loosen muscle fibres.

“What is the difference between Swedish Massage and Sports Massage?”

Swedish massage techniques are typically long, slow and gentle massage strokes. It is used to promote psychological and emotional well-being. It also reduces stress and creates a state of relaxation. The techniques used in Swedish massage are very similar to those used during a sports massage, however, the main difference being that sports massage tends to focus on a particular muscle group and involves greater pressure to work deeper into the tissues, which in turn produces greater effects.

“I don’t play sports – can I still have a Sports Massage”?

Overuse injuries can occur in everyday life through repetitive everyday actions. This can include reaching for high shelves. Tension and tightness can also build up through poor posture whilst driving or sitting at a desk (this can result in back pain). Therefore, following consultation and treatment, we will try to identify what day to day activities could be the cause of any particular issues you are having. Will give you simple solutions to help with this. Making a few small alterations can have a huge effect.

“What is a ‘knot’?”

Knots are small, bump-like sections of muscle which occur in a specific area. They can be painful to the touch. they are medically defined as myofascial trigger points. They occur when muscle fibres or the bands of tissue (fascia) underneath them tense, which can result in tight muscles. The neck and shoulders can a common problem area. They can occur through:

• Stress and tension
• Acute injuries related to strenuous exercise
• Chronic injuries resulting from overuse
• Poor posture
• Prolonged bed rest or sitting without stretching