Apollo Fitness

Sports
Massage

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What Is Sports Massage?

It covers a range of techniques for management, manipulation, and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body. Originally designed for sports people - hence the name - it is used in all phases of training and competition.

But of course you don't have to be actively involved in sport, or even any form of fitness training, to benefit from sports massage. Many day-to-day activities result in stresses and strains on the body similar to those found on the sports field. So, if you do any day-to-day activities, you're eligible. One of my regular clients is a 72 year old cellist.

Sports massage can help to:

  • Lengthen muscles that have shortened through lack of use, over use, poor posture, or an old injury.
  • Improve range of movement.
  • Ease tight or aching muscles.
  • Address 'knotted' muscles (often found around the shoulder blades).
  • Warm up muscles and prepare the mind and body immediately prior to a sporting event.
  • Restore muscles to their normal state following a competition or training session.
  • Relax or revitalise the whole body.
  • Assist the efficient repair of injured soft tissues.
 Picture of me massaging someone

How does it differ from 'spa' treatments?

The towels tend to be less fluffy and I don't play panpipe music. The techniques of swedish massage are incorporated within sports massage, so there is considerable overlap between them. Post-event massage is generally aimed at recovery and relaxation, so may be very similar to that encountered in a spa environment. Pre-event is often more invigorating, although this depends on the sport (an archer, for example, wouldn't want firing up before a competition in quite the way that a boxer might). Maintenance sessions generally involve deep tissue massage, especially when working on any hotspots, but may also include elements of relaxation. Injury rehabilitation will vary depending on where you are in the healing process.

Does it work?

Yes. I often have sports massage myself, and always find it to be effective. Personal experiences have included rehabilitation from a torn shoulder muscle (from lifting weights), and it certainly speeds up recovery from rowing races. I also have occasional maintenance sessions to fix the aches and pains that I acquire through the job - it's hard work!