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What will happen at my first sports massage?

Firstly, there will be a little bit of paperwork involved. You will have medical screening questions asked. Some of these will be personal, but they will all be relevant to ascertain if you are suitable to be massaged. Some medical conditions will be contraindicated, meaning that you cannot be massaged. There will also be some work and lifestyle questions.

You will then have a postural assessment where I will give you a full 360 and look for evidence of altered joint mechanics and palpate bony landmarks, followed by range of movement assessments which will focus on any areas that may be of issue. This will involve active, passive, and resisted movements and should not be painful. All of this will take around 30 minutes.

Once all the assessments are completed, we will discuss the best course of action, e.g., where I will massage and why, what type of massage I am going to use and if myofascial decompression should be used. 

We then get on to the massage, which will last around 45 minutes. Some parts may be uncomfortable but not overly painful (a pain scale of 1-10 is used, and I’ll not go over a 7). Once the massage is over I’ll do some passive stretches for you and give you some take-home advice to assist you in staying injury and pain-free.

What should I wear for my massage?

Ideally, you should wear sports gear, e.g. shorts and a T-shirt. For females, a pair of cycling/Lycra shorts that can be rolled as far as necessary. You can wear a sports bra if you wish. However, these are not practical as full access to your back may be required, so a normal bra is better. Most importantly, though, wear what you feel most comfortable in.

Will I need to remove any clothes?

Yes. This is important. To be able to give you a thorough assessment, I will need to be able to see your body. Also, massaging through clothes is not ideal as it is difficult to feel for things like adhesions in your muscle tissue. 

I understand that taking items of clothing off might make you feel uncomfortable, but it will aid in you receiving the best possible assessment and treatment. 

I will provide towels to keep you covered up as best as possible, and I will only expose the areas of your body when needed. I will not get you to remove any items of clothing unnecessarily.

Can I have someone with me?

Yes, you are more than welcome to have a chaperone with you. 

All vulnerable persons and persons under 16 MUST have a chaperone/parent/guardian present at all times.

Is it painful?

No, it can be uncomfortable at times but not painful as such. We use a pain scale of 1-10 and do not go over a 7. This is a subjective score, and what might be a 5 for one person might be an 8 or 9 for someone else, so it is important that you communicate what you are feeling with me.

Will it leave any marks?

It can do. After a massage, you may have some red marks or light bruising for a couple of days afterwards. Although generally, there should be no visible marks, but not guaranteed. 

If you have had myofascial decompression during your session, this can leave quite pronounced red circles on your body for up to two weeks. 

Should I feel like I have flu a couple of days after my massage?

Some people do report feeling a little bit like they have flu. This is because when we massage, we will move and clear the metabolic waste that is in your lymphatic system. A side effect of this is flu-like symptoms.

Can I exercise after my massage?

It is not recommended. If you have had a deeper massage, your muscle fibres will be stripped down, leaving you feeling a bit weaker and tired. Let me know if you have a sporting event or big training session planned within a few days of your massage. A pre-event massage might then be more appropriate. 

How will I feel after my massage?

You should feel relaxed, de-stressed and mentally revived. You will also likely feel drowsy and a bit weaker. This usually subsides within a day or so, and then you’ll really start to feel the benefits of your massage.

Will a sports benefit me?

Most likely, yes. A sports massage isn’t just for athletes. They are for everyone. Everyday life stresses and work life will have adverse effects on your body. Such things include driving for a prolonged time, sitting at a desk all day, working in a warehouse, packing boxes, and doing repetitive tasks. These will all wear down your body and mind, which can lead to an injury. A sports massage will help reduce this risk and keep you fitter, healthier, and feeling great.

Can I drive after a massage?

Yes, but if you can avoid it, do so. Get someone else to drive if needed, especially if you have a long drive ahead. You might be feeling tired following your massage.

Can I have a massage if I'm on my period?

Yes, this is not a problem. It is however, important that you let me know. As when you are menstruating you will likely have a heighted sensitivity to pain. This can effect your perception and of the pain score (for instance, a 2 out of 10 may be perceived as a 4 or 5). With this in mind the massage wouldn't as deep as I would normally go.