Our Physiotherapists and Massage therapists are highly qualified in sports massage and will work your muscles back into their optimum state pre or post exercise. Their high level of experience makes sports massage with us extremely good value.
Sports massage has been found to be effective in improving recovery, performance, fatigue and pain in athletes. Here are some quotes:
‘Athletes having regular massage are twice as likely to achieve their goals’ (Dawson et al, 2011)
‘Massage is proven to reduce back pain’ (Cochrane Review, 2002)
‘Massage therapy reduces pain and improves function in some musculoskeletal conditions.’ (Bervoets et al, 2015)
Massage therapy is effective on post-race recovery from pain and fatigue in long-distance triathlon athletes. (Nunes et al, 2016)
A post-exercise massage session can improve the exercise performance and recovery rate in male bodybuilders after intensive exercise. (Kargarfard et al 2015)
We always make sure we have same day appointments available and are open from 7.30am to 8pm so please get in touch to book an appointment now.
FAQ
What is the difference between a sports massage from a physiotherapist and one from a massage therapist?
A massage therapist delivers the soft-tissue treatment itself, at £55 for 30 minutes or £88 for 60 at Octopus Clinic. A physiotherapist-delivered sports massage is £86 for 30 minutes and includes clinical assessment — identifying why the tissue is tight and whether anything else needs treating — alongside the hands-on work.
Which should I book if I have an injury?
If you have a specific injury or pain you cannot explain, book the physiotherapist option or a physiotherapy assessment, because massage alone rarely resolves an injury and can be the wrong treatment for an acute one. If you are managing general training tightness with no injury, the massage therapist option is the better value.
Should I book a 30 or 60 minute massage?
Thirty minutes suits one or two focused areas — a tight neck and shoulders, or calves after a hard running week. Sixty minutes covers several regions properly and is the usual choice for whole-body tightness or after heavy training blocks. At Octopus Clinic 60 minutes with a massage therapist is £88.
Does deep tissue massage hurt?
It should feel like firm, tolerable pressure rather than sharp pain. Working through a genuinely tight area can be briefly uncomfortable, and mild soreness for a day afterwards is common. Pressure is adjustable throughout, and telling your therapist it is too much is expected — more pressure is not better treatment.
How often should I have a sports massage?
Weekly suits people training at high volume or under heavy physical stress. Fortnightly works for maintenance once tightness is under control. Monthly is enough for desk-related tension and general wellbeing. Consistency produces more change than occasional single treatments, whatever the interval you choose.
Should I have a massage before or after a race or event?
Keep any deep work to at least three or four days before a race — deep tissue treatment can leave muscles briefly sore and less powerful, which is the last thing you want on the start line. A light flushing massage the day before is fine. Post-event, wait 24 to 48 hours before deep work.
Is sports massage covered by private medical insurance?
Rarely on its own. Most insurers cover soft-tissue treatment only when it forms part of an authorised physiotherapy plan, and many exclude massage as a wellbeing service. The physiotherapist-delivered option is more likely to be covered than the massage therapist option.