What to expect

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If it is your first visit there will be a brief informal chat before we begin the session.  You should have already received, and filled out, a massage consultation form after you placed your booking online, but this is an excellent opportunity to discuss anything in relation to your treatment before we begin.    After the consultation, there will be a physical assessment and postural analysis (which will include some basic movement checks). Finally an explanation as to what I think is going wrong before the treatment.   

Massage therapy is a great way to recuperate from injuries faster. However, too much manipulation of sensitive areas and injured muscles is actually detrimental to the body’s natural recovery process  and in some  circumstances, it may be appropriate to  suggest a shorter treatment time during your appointment,  to avoid over-working an area.  

What to wear

Opt for clothing that allows easy accessibility to the areas to be targeted.  Eg. wearing gym shorts is advisable for lower body massages focused on the legs or hips.  For upper body massages targeting the back, shoulders, and arms, consider a vest top or sports bra for women and a t-shirt for men.

To ensure a smooth and uninterrupted massage, it's advisable to minimise the jewellery and accessories you choose to wear to your appointment.  Focus on areas of your body that are essential for the massage, and opt for items that allow for easy movement.  

Of course, this is up to you, but it is advisable to rest for at least 24 hours after your massage to ensure your muscles have plenty of time to repair themselves. Post-massage soreness is completely normal after a sports massage, and your muscles may still feel tight after 48 hours, which is a sign they are still recovering.

There are a few reasons why you should rest for at least 24 hours after a sports massage:

After a massage, your muscles and connective tissues are more pliable and soft, which could increase your chances of an injury. If you take part in strenuous exercise (such as weightlifting, or running) soon after a sports massage, you are putting yourself at risk of straining your muscles and tissue, which could result in swelling, bruising, and loss of strength.

When your muscles are trying to recover after a massage, your body uses up more water. Because of this, your chances of becoming dehydrated are increased. You should avoid excessive sweating and give your body time to get back to its normal hydration state. We’d also advise that you drink plenty of water before and after your massage to help speed up your sports massage recovery.

Delayed onset muscle soreness, also known as DOMS, is the achy feeling you get after an intense workout. DOMS after a sports massage is completely normal, as your muscles are working hard to repair themselves. If you workout while experiencing DOMS, you aren’t giving your muscles enough time to heal, and your workout may also be quite painful.