Is Sports Massage Only for Athletes?

While sports massage is designed to support athletes, its benefits extend to non-athletes as well, offering relief from muscle tension, stress reduction, and improved overall physical well-being.

How Often Should I Receive Sports Massage?

The frequency of sports massage sessions varies based on individual needs, training intensity, and recovery goals. Your massage therapist can provide personalised recommendations.

Can Sports Massage Help with Injury Prevention?

Yes, sports massage can aid in injury prevention by addressing muscle imbalances, promoting proper muscle function, and reducing the risk of overuse injuries.

What Should I Expect During a Sports Massage Session?

During a sports massage session, your therapist will assess your needs, use targeted techniques to address specific concerns, and provide guidance on aftercare and injury prevention.

Sports Massage in Nottingham

PhysioDirect offers sports massage in Nottingham at our Mapperley Park, Beeston and Colwick clinics. Sessions are given by qualified therapists, including chartered physiotherapists with sports backgrounds, and are tailored to your training, work and symptoms. Sports massage may help reduce muscle tension and soreness and help you move more comfortably. No GP referral is needed.

We offer four types of sports massage:

Pre-event massage: a lighter, brisker massage to help your muscles feel loose and ready before a race, match or competition.
Post-event massage: a recovery-focused massage that may help ease muscle soreness and stiffness after hard exercise.
Maintenance massage: regular sessions during training to help manage tight areas before they build up.
Rehabilitation massage: soft tissue work used alongside physiotherapy while you recover from an injury.

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What Is Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a firm, hands-on treatment that focuses on muscles, tendons and other soft tissues affected by exercise, work or posture. Your therapist will ask about your activity and symptoms, find areas of tightness or discomfort and adjust the pressure and techniques to suit you. You don't need to play sport to benefit, as many of our patients come to us with tension from desk work, driving or physical jobs.

How Can Sports Massage Help?

Sports massage may help reduce muscle tension and soreness, ease stiffness and help you move more comfortably. Many people also find it relaxing. Because our sports massage is given in a physiotherapy clinic, your therapist can spot signs that a problem needs more than massage and refer you to one of our physiotherapists for a full assessment.

Techniques Used in Sports Massage

Specialist techniques form the backbone of sports massage therapy, each tailored to address specific needs. Deep tissue manipulation focuses on releasing muscle tension and knots in tight muscles, promoting relaxation.

Your therapist may also use trigger point therapy, which applies steady pressure to tight, tender spots in a muscle, and stretching to help with flexibility. Lighter, Swedish-style strokes are often used at the start and end of a session to warm up the area and help you relax. We'll explain what we're doing as we go and adjust the pressure to suit you.

Who Provides Sports Massage at PhysioDirect?

Sports massage at PhysioDirect is given by experienced clinicians, including:

Joe Newton, Sports and MSK Physiotherapist, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (Sheffield Hallam), MCSP, who previously worked with Sheffield Wednesday FC.

Amruta Vijay Vora, Sports and MSK Physiotherapist, MSc Sports Rehabilitation and Soft Tissue Therapy, MCSP.

Sports Massage vs Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure to work on the deeper layers of muscle, usually over the whole body or a general area. Sports massage often uses deep tissue techniques too, but it's more targeted: your therapist focuses on the muscles you use for your sport, job or daily activity, and may add stretching and trigger point work. If you have a specific area of tightness or an activity you're training for, sports massage is usually the better fit.

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Our Clinics

Beeston

17 Villa Street

Beeston

Nottingham

NG9 2NY

England UK

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Colwick

1 Mile End Road

Colwick

Nottingham

NG4 2DW

England UK

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Mapperley Park

15 Mapperley Park Drive

Mapperley Park

Nottingham

NG3 5BX

England UK

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Get in Touch

If you have any questions, click the support agent icon in the bottom right corner, and we’ll be happy to help. To book an appointment, just click ‘Book Now’ and choose from our treatment and clinic options.

Mail

physiodirect@gmail.com

Phone

Tel: 0115 969 1528

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Sports Massage in Nottingham — Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions we're asked most often about sports massage at our Nottingham clinics, from what to wear and whether it hurts to how often to book and what it costs. If your question isn't covered, call us on 0115 969 1528.

Who is sports massage for?

Anyone with tight or sore muscles, not just athletes. We see runners, gym-goers and club players, but also people with tension from desk work, driving, manual jobs or looking after young children. If you have pain from an injury, a physiotherapy assessment may be a better first step, and we can advise you.

What happens during a sports massage session?

Your therapist will ask about your activity, symptoms and medical history, then check how you move and where you feel tight. They'll massage the areas that need attention, adjusting the pressure as they go, and finish with simple advice such as stretches you can do at home.

What should I wear for a sports massage?

Wear or bring comfortable clothing, such as shorts and a vest top, so we can reach the area being treated. You'll only need to uncover the area being worked on, and you'll be covered with towels throughout. Let us know if you'd prefer a chaperone.

Does sports massage hurt?

It can feel firm and sometimes uncomfortable over tight spots, but it shouldn't be painful. Tell your therapist if the pressure is too much and they'll adjust it. Some people feel a little sore for a day or two afterwards, similar to after a workout.

How often should I have a sports massage?

It depends on your training, job and goals. Some people book before or after a big event, others every few weeks during heavy training, and some just when they feel tight. Your therapist will suggest what makes sense for you, and there's no obligation to book a course.

Can sports massage help prevent injury?

Regular massage may help you manage tight areas and notice problems early, but the evidence that it prevents injuries on its own is limited. A sensible training plan, strength work and enough recovery do the most to reduce your risk. Our physiotherapists can help with those too.

How is sports massage different from a relaxation massage?

A relaxation or Swedish massage uses lighter, flowing strokes mainly to help you unwind. Sports massage is firmer and more targeted, focusing on the specific muscles that feel tight or sore, often with stretching. It can still be relaxing, but its main aim is to help you move more comfortably.

What should I do before and after a sports massage?

Before your session, have a light meal and arrive a few minutes early so you're not rushed. Afterwards, keep moving gently, drink water as you normally would and avoid very hard exercise for the rest of the day if you've had deep work. Any soreness should settle within a day or two.

How much does a sports massage cost?

You can see current prices and session lengths when you book online, or call us on 0115 969 1528. Some private health insurance policies cover massage given by a physiotherapist, so check with your insurer.

Should I book a sports massage or physiotherapy?

If you have general tightness or soreness, sports massage is a good choice. If you have pain from a specific injury, pain that's getting worse, or symptoms like pins and needles or weakness, book a physiotherapy assessment first so we can find the cause.