At Wandsworth Physiotherapy our Sports Massage sessions consist of traditional sports massage, with the option of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage (IASTM).
This is suitable for professional and recreational athletes who experience pain and tension points in their muscles and for office workers who suffer from a stiff neck, back and shoulders.
This is the type of sports massage extensively used to prepare Premier League footballers and rugby players prior to training and games. It is also used widely for recreation and elite runners and other athletes.
During a sports massage deep, firm pressure is used by the therapists thumbs, hands, knuckles and forearm to knead and stretch the muscles.
The aim of this is to generate friction in the muscles, create heat and improve blood flow into the sore and tight muscles. Increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and removes waste products and stimulates detoxification.
Special stainless steel massage tools may also be used during this type of massage.
These techniques originate from the Traditional Chinese Medicine form of massage known as Gua Sha. Now more commonly known as Graston Technique, or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) releases adhesions in our fascia. Fascia is a type of connective tissue that envelopes our muscles, supports our bones and organs and insulates our nerves. Using these tools stimulates cellular activity, improves lymph and blood flow and helps to relieve pain from tight sore muscles.
These combined massage and needling techniques can feel somewhat painful and those who don’t like painful massage should look to book one of our Express or Deluxe Relaxing Swedish Massages.
The Deluxe Sports Massage is 1 hour and perfect for those who want to indulge themselves in a whole body treatment working out the tension in the neck, upper back and shoulder, the rotator cuff, the mid and lower back, the glutes, hamstring, quads and calves. All of our Sports Massages are performed by a Chartered Physiotherapists, Registered Osteopath or Massage Therapists with experience working in elite sports, regularly preparing international athletes for training and competition.
The benefits of a deep tissue sports massage, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage and Dry Needling are decreased pain and tension, a relaxed state and a greater sense of wellbeing. During a Sports Massage session no assessment or diagnosis of an injury will be made, If you have an injury that requires assessment and diagnosis you need to book a physiotherapy or osteopathy appointment.
Our most popular Sports Massage is the 30 minute Express Sports Massage.
This is perfect for runners or other recreational athletes who need to release the IT band, glutes, quads, calf and hamstrings. It is also very useful for office workers who develop pain and tension in the neck, back and shoulders.
To prevent injuries from occurring regular monthly maintenance Express Sports Massage sessions are recommended.
The Super Deluxe Sports Massage is 90 minutes and perfect for those who want extra attention on certain areas and may also include head and foot massage, as well as the neck, upper back and shoulders, the rotator cuff, the mid and lower back, the glutes, hamstring, quads and calves.
