Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sports massage?
A sports massage is a targeted, rehabilitative therapy. It is usually focused on a particular area of the client’s concern. Sports massage is popular with athletes, sports people and those who are active in their everyday lives.
Are there any side effects of sports massage?
Sports massage is a remedial form of therapy, therefore there are some sports massage side effects. This can include stiffness, soreness or bruising after your massage, though this will alleviate 24-48 hours after your session. The discomfort you may experience post-massage is the proof that your sports massage has affected your muscles adequately.
What are the sports massage techniques?
Sports massage incorporates various techniques to enhance performance, facilitate recovery, and alleviate muscle tension.
Here are some common techniques used in sports massage:
- Effleurage: Long, sweeping strokes used to warm up the muscles and promote relaxation.
- Petrissage: Kneading movements that help to release muscle tension and improve circulation.
- Friction: Deep, circular movements that target specific areas of muscle tightness or injury to break down adhesions and scar tissue.
- Tapotement: Rhythmic tapping or percussion techniques that stimulate muscles and improve circulation.
- Compression: Applying pressure to specific areas to release tension and enhance blood flow.
- Stretching: Passive stretching techniques to increase flexibility and range of motion.
- Trigger Point: Focusing on specific “trigger points” or knots in the muscle that cause pain, using pressure to alleviate discomfort.
These techniques can be combined and tailored to meet the specific needs of each athlete or individual, enhancing recovery and performance.
How should I prepare for my sports massage?
Your massage therapist will arrive 5 to 10 minutes prior to your appointment start time with everything they need including a massage table, fresh linen and lotion or oil. All you need to do beforehand is pick the room you’d like to have your treatment in and clear 3ft x 5ft of floor space for your massage therapist to set up the massage table.
What should I look for in a sports massage therapist?
While all massage therapists on the Blys platform are qualified and experienced in a range of massage therapies, there are some who specialise in sports massage.
A sports massage therapist may have a background in the sporting field, whether that be as an athlete, sports physiotherapist, or who work with athletes and sports professionals on a regular basis.
Massage therapists on the Blys platform are qualified, carefully vetted and insured so you can sit back and relax knowing you’re in good hands (literally).
What can I expect from a sports massage?
You should expect your sports massage to challenge your muscles. As a remedial massage therapy, sports massage is designed to target your problem areas, such as your legs, shoulders, arms or back. These areas may be sore, stiff, tight or painful and while a sports massage will help to iron out knots, you may not feel the results immediately. Sports massage benefits may arise 24-48 hours post-massage.
Who would benefit from a sports massage?
Sports massage therapy is popular among professional sportspeople, athletes, frequent gym-goers and other active people. Labourers, mothers with young children, and anyone who frequently exerts their body can benefit from a targeted sports massage, too. You don’t have to be sporty to have a sports massage.
How shall I feel after my sports massage?
After your sports massage you may experience an improvement in mobility and flexibility. Immediately post-massage you may feel sore or stiff, and some bruising may develop in the areas your therapist has targeted. This is normal. Any discomfort or tension you feel after your sports massage should alleviate over the next 24-48 hours, after which time you’ll enjoy the full benefits of your sports massage.
Who should not get a sports massage?
A sports massage can be an intense therapy and is usually selected for rehabilitation and muscle recovery. Clients of sports massages typically implement them into a larger physical or workout routine to improve overall performance and recovery time. If you are pregnant, or experience any adverse health conditions such as blood clots (thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis), osteoporosis, cancer, or have recently undergone surgery, you must consult your doctor before you enquire about any kind of massage therapy.
Does a sports massage hurt?
The areas your sports massage therapist will work on will be areas in which your muscles are tight, stiff or knotted. Sports massage is a remedial therapy. The most effective way to restore the muscles’ maximum potential is to work them thoroughly by kneading, stripping and compressing.
If you are experiencing unreasonable sports massage pain, let your therapist know so they can adjust their pressure and position.
What is the difference between a sports massage and a deep tissue massage?
Sports massage is a form of deep tissue massage. It is different from deep tissue massage in that it is a specialised form of recuperative therapy. The purpose of a sports massage is to restore muscle flexibility and mobility, increase muscle potential and reduce recovery time. Deep tissue massage works the deep layers of fascia to provide immediate relief from pain or discomfort. When debating sports massage vs deep tissue massage, ask yourself what the purpose of your massage needs to be.
Can I get a sports massage near me?
Of course, you can! Now that you’ve found Blys you can stop searching for ‘sports massage near me’ and start booking the best quality massages delivered to your home, hotel or office.
Can I choose my massage therapist?
Yes! You can browse massage therapists in your area by heading to the provider directory and inputting your location and preferred service type into the search field.
From here you can click the individual provider listings to view their complete profile including their bio, reviews and rating.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred massage therapist you can book them directly by clicking the ‘book’ button on their profile page.
If your selected massage therapist isn’t available, we’ll prompt you to either reschedule to another time or select another massage therapist in your area.
Can I contact my massage therapist prior to my appointment?
Yes! 48 hours prior to your booking start time, you will be able to message your massage therapist using the chat function in the app. To access the chat function, open your app and head to the upcoming bookings page, select your booking and then click ‘message therapist’.
Your massage therapist will also have the ability to message you prior to your appointment to ask any questions they may have to ensure they can best prepare to achieve your desired results.