What do I wear to a Sports Therapy/Sports Massage appointment?

 

During your initial assessment we would recommend you arrive in comfortable and loose clothing. For females it would be advised to wear a vest top. If possible, it helps the practitioner to be able to see the spine when doing the movement and strength assessments. However, if this is uncomfortable for you then it can be worked round.

 

For treatment we recommend you also bring a pair of shorts with you.

If necessary, we can treat through clothing but you may not get the full benefit.

 

What happens in my first appointment and how long is it?

 

Your initial consultation and treatment will always be 60mins long. This is so the practitioner can go through all the necessary paperwork with you of personal details, medical history and current complaints. They will then perform a detailed assessment, where they may use techniques to test the movement and strength of your joints, muscles and other soft tissue structures. They will explain, at all times what they intend to do and answer any questions at the same time. Your initial consultation will always involve some treatment time and then prescribe exercises where needed and a plan of future treatment.

 

I am not sporty or active, is Sports Massage right for me?

 

Yes, it can be. I describe Sports Massage as a functional deep tissue massage where the main aim is to treat muscular tightness and tension to aid the recovery and return to optimum function. This can come from sporting activity as well as gardening, sitting at your desk for too long, driving all the time, sitting on the floor with young children and repetitive movements.

 

Is Sports Massage painful?

 

At times Sports Massage can be painful or tender. You can have trigger points in your muscles that when pressed are painful, but most people find this release quite satisfying. Sports Massage is a very individual style treatment that can be tailored to your needs, your practitioner will use a variety of pressures from light, medium and deep. If at anytime it is too painful then you can tell your practitioner to stop or ease off.

 

If I feel tender when I get home, what is the best thing to do?

 

In general, people can feel tender or stiff after the massage treatment for approximately 48hours after the appointment. We find that the first time is worst and then it gradually gets easier the more your body becomes accustomed to the treatment style.

If you feel particularly sore after a treatment we recommend ice, not heat. We also encourage you to drink plenty of water after treatment to rehydrate yourself after lots of toxins have been removed from your muscles. Water is the best way to flush them out.

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What is Kinesiology Taping?

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It is a stretchy therapeutic tape that is applied to the body specifically to aid the body during movement. It is used to provide support, lessen pain and reduce swelling. It is a technique used to assist athletes in performance and can be used on non-sport specific musculoskeletal conditions.