I don't do sport, so should I have a Sports Massage?
Many people are not sure whether a deep tissue massage or sports massage would be the right treatment for them, watch this short video to allay your concerns!
I've heard that Sports Massage is painful, is that true?
In the past it was thought that, to be truly effective, a sports massage should be painful. Thinking has since changed and these days that is not the case. Depending on your particular issue there are times when the treatment might be uncomfortable, but it should not be outright painful. It is important however to communicate with your therapist if a particular area of technique is painful for you, as everyone is different and it can be hard to judge.
What is a "sports massage"?
A sports massage is a treatment that combines multiple techniques to help your body relax and heal. It tends to largely consist of deep tissue massage (though this is dependent on the individual client) and then stretches and excersies to compliment the massage. The sports massage therapist has many techniques available to try and will tailor your treatment according to your individual requirements. This may change from appointment to appointment and will apply to returning clients.
Should I eat before a treatment?
Generally there is no problem with eating as normal before a massage, however if you are having treatment for digestive issues or to help with restricted breathing (perhaps after having had a cold) then avoid eating for a couple of hours before your appointment.
What should I wear to an appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing to the appointment if possible; always wear underwear. In cold weather conditions make sure you bring jumper, scarf, gloves etc, as it's important that you keep warm after a treatment and you may find that your body temperature has lowered.
What should I expect post-appointment?
This will vary from person to person and from day to day. In the majority of cases the client leaves feeling great! Some people find themselves very sleepy after an appointment, perhaps with difficulty concentrating. Occasionally some clients may have a slight headache as a reaction to the treatment, but this can be treated with painkillers if desired and should not last long. If you have any concerns about your reaction to a treatment please contact your therapist without hesitation.
What is the difference between a sports massage and a relaxation treatment?
A sports massage is intended to help you with a particular problem or injury (e.g. tendonitis, strains and sprains) whereas a relaxation treatment is more suited to helping manage stress and tension, or as a treat! A sports massage will include assessment of the injured/painful area before, after and possibly during the treatment, possibly a variety of techniques and probably recommended exercises to perform at home, in order to assist the healing process. A relaxation treatment will be almost or entirely massage with the focus on releasing the tension from your muscles and leaving you feeling relaxed and at peace.
What is a hot stones massage?
A hot stones massage uses heated basalt stones as tools to help relax your muscles more quickly. It allows the therapist to achieve a deeper tissue massage without applying as much pressure, particularly effective for chronic stress related muscle tension. It can be used as part of either a sports massage or as a relaxation massage.
I have a cold, should I keep my appointment?
In these post Covid times we are all more aware of the risk of infection to others, so when deciding if you should attend please bear in mind that your therapist comes into contact with many people, some of whom are vulnerable. For this reason it is strongly recommended that as soon as you suspect you have a cold you contact your therapist to discuss whether it's best to reschedule or not. If you are not infectious but still experiencing symptoms then there shouldn't be a problem with having a massage, however you should be aware that clients often experience a "second wave" of the virus which can last of a few days. As a doctor once said to me, if you are asking, "should I do this?" the answer is probably no!
I'm pregnant, is it safe to have a massage?
There is no evidence to suggest that massage is not safe during pregnancy, however it is essential that you tell your therapist before the treatment commences. As the first trimester is often seen as a risky time during pregnancy, many women and massage therapists agree that massage shouldn't be undertaken then, however once the 12 week scan has happened and assuming there are no contraindications to massage there's no reason not to have a massage, particularly if you are suffering with muscle and joint pain due to the physical strains of being pregnant.