Fed up of muscle aches and tension?
Would you like to feel more relaxed?
Sports Massage can help.
Sports Massage can enhance your wellbeing through deep tissue release. Rest, recovery and self-care at it's best.
We understand how challenging it can be to get the help you need. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Do you find yourself struggling with:
daily pain or discomfort?
holding stress or tension in your body and muscles?
headaches, shoulder pain or tired feeling muscles?
not feeling recovered from intense exercise?
Wouldn’t you rather have:
some time to yourself?
soothed and relaxed muscles?
reduced muscle soreness?
recovery from training programmes?
More about Sports Massage
Sports massage isn't just for elite athletes. If you train regularly, sit at a desk all day, or you're carrying tension you can't quite shift, it works the same way.
Faster recovery
Muscles get sore and tight after hard training or a long race. Sports massage increases blood flow to the area, which helps ease that soreness and gets you back to training sooner rather than nursing it for a week.
Fewer niggles, better performance
Tight, imbalanced muscles are usually where injuries start. Regular sports massage picks up on those patterns before they become a problem, whether that's a hamstring that's always tight before a run or a shoulder that seizes up after a climbing session.
Genuine relaxation
It's not all deep pressure and wincing. Sports massage also does what any good massage does: eases stress, calms an overactive nervous system, and leaves you feeling looser rather than braced.
Better range of motion
Tight tissue restricts movement. Working through it with stretching and deep tissue technique helps you move more freely, which matters whether you're training for a marathon or just want to touch your toes again.
At Quay Kinetics Physio, sports massage is delivered by the same MSc-qualified physiotherapy team who treat injuries and run our sports clinics, not a separate massage therapist working from a generic template. Tell us what you're training for or what's bothering you, and we'll tailor the session accordingly.
Don’t just take our word for it
Frequently Asked Questions
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They're closely related. Deep tissue massage is a general term for firm-pressure massage targeting deeper muscle layers. Sports massage uses deep tissue techniques but is more specifically focused on functional outcomes: reducing muscle tightness that's affecting performance, speeding recovery after training, and addressing specific areas of tension related to your activity. In practice, if you book a sports massage with us, you'll get a targeted, firm treatment focused on the areas that need it most rather than a full-body relaxation massage.
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It depends on your activity level and what you're trying to achieve. If you're training regularly (climbing, running, gym work), a session every 2 to 4 weeks can help manage muscle tension and support recovery. If you're preparing for a specific event or competition, more frequent sessions in the lead-up can be beneficial. For general stress and tension relief, monthly sessions work well for most people. We'll advise you on the right frequency based on your situation rather than pushing unnecessary appointments.
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Yes, and most of our sports massage clients aren't athletes. The name is slightly misleading. Sports massage is effective for anyone dealing with muscle tension, whether that's from desk work, physical labour, stress, or general everyday activity. If you carry tension in your shoulders from sitting at a computer, get tight calves from walking, or just want an hour of focused deep tissue work to feel better, sports massage is for you.
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There are some contraindications where sports massage should be avoided or modified. These include open wounds, skin infections, bruising within 72 hours, acute injuries in the first 48 to 72 hours, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), haemophilia or blood-thinning medication, and active tumours or cancer treatment. If you're pregnant, have a heart condition, or are on blood thinners, please let us know before booking so we can advise whether sports massage is appropriate for you or if modifications are needed.
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It can be uncomfortable in areas of significant tension, but it shouldn't be painful in a way that makes you tense up or hold your breath. Effective deep tissue work involves firm pressure, and you may feel tenderness over tight spots, but this should feel like a "good hurt" that you can breathe through. We'll always check in with you about pressure and adjust accordingly. If you prefer lighter pressure, that's absolutely fine and can still be very effective.
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Drink plenty of water, avoid intense exercise for 24 hours, and don't be surprised if you feel slightly sore the next day, particularly if it was your first session or we worked on areas with significant tension. This is completely normal and usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. Gentle movement like walking or light stretching is fine and can actually help. Avoid alcohol for the rest of the day if possible, as massage increases circulation and can amplify its effects.
If you’re ready to feel:
more relaxed,
less muscle tension,
more energised