Sports Massage In Bournemouth
Book an Appointment with a Sports Massage Therapist
If you're looking for a sports massage in Bournemouth, look no further than SoCo Therapies! Our talented team of sports massage therapists are here to help you identify the root cause of your tension and discomfort, and find solutions that will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on whatever life throws your way.
At SoCo Therapies, we offer a range of different massage treatments in Bournemouth, such as deep tissue massage, shiatsu massage and also cupping therapy.
If you’d like to find out more about how these treatments can help you please give us a call on 01202 422 000 or send us an email at wecare@socotherapies.co.uk.
What is Sports Massage?
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Sports massage is a type of soft tissue massage therapy that treats the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can be used for injury rehabilitation and to improve athletic performance.
Originally developed to assist athletes in the prevention and relief of injuries, sports massage has grown to become a popular treatment for non-athletes as well, helping everyday individuals with their aches and pains.
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How does Sports Massage work?
A qualified sports massage therapist will focus on certain areas of the body more than others depending on what they're looking to accomplish.
For example, if you have tightness in your hamstrings and quads, they will work on those muscles to loosen them up. If you have soreness in your glutes or calves, they will focus on those muscles as well.
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Sports massage therapists use their hands to apply pressure to specific areas of the body. This can be done with their palms or with their fingers/thumbs only (depending on what area needs attention).
The pressure used varies from person-to-person based on their needs but is generally quite light at first and increases as needed throughout treatment.
A sports massage therapist will use various techniques to treat your muscles and soft tissue.
They may use a kneading motion to release adhesions that build up in your muscles and increase flexibility; stretching techniques to lengthen shortened muscles; deep tissue massage techniques such as friction and cross-fibre friction, trigger point release techniques and much more, it all depends on what your body requires.
How can a Sports Massage Therapist help me?
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Sports massage can be a very effective way to treat an injury. It can be used to help heal existing injuries, prevent future ones, and even speed up the recovery time for an injury that has already occurred. Sports massage can also be very effective when combined with sports therapy if you're going through injury rehab.
Here are some other benefits of sports massage therapy:
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Pain Relief: through the release of endorphins, massage can help relieve pain throughout your body.
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Relaxation: increased heat and blood flow will help your muscles to relax and you’ll also feel an overall sense of relaxation during the session.
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Increased Flexibility - sports massage will help to relieve any tension and tightness in your muscles, thereby increasing your flexibility.
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Prevent or Relieve DOMS - increased blood flow and oxygen to the muscles can help prevent or relieve delayed onset muscle soreness.
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Breakdown of Scar Tissue - sports massage has been shown to be an effective treatment in the breakdown of scar tissue after a previous injury.
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Deep tissue massage
What is deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage that focuses on firm and slow strokes to massage the deep layers of the muscles and fascia that can easily become tight and knotted through sports, fitness and also everyday activities.
Unlike other forms of massage such as Swedish massage, unfortunately, deep tissue massage is not as relaxing as the pressure the therapist will put into the strokes can cause some discomfort and pain, however, this is not without its benefits.
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Some of the benefits of deep tissue massage are:
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Reduced muscular tension
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Breaks down muscular adhesions and knots
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Helps to flush out waste products
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Can help reduce stress
There are also numerous studies that back up the benefits of deep tissue massage, such as this study involving 59 individuals with chronic low back pain.
After just 2 weeks of daily 30-minute sessions of deep tissue massage, individuals experienced a huge improvement and a noticeable reduction in pain.
What to do after deep tissue massage?
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After a deep tissue massage, it’s common to experience some soreness. We recommend that after your massage you stay hydrated, drink plenty of water and try and get a good sleep.
It may also help to stay active and keep your blood flowing which will help your muscles loosen up. However, your sports massage therapist can go through all of this with you after your appointment.
Cupping Therapy
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At SoCo Therapies, we also offer Cupping Therapy, which is a technique that can be used alongside massage to help release tension in the fascia - the connective tissue that sits between the skin, muscles and organs. Releasing this can improve range of motion, reduce pain and help to prevent injury.
Cupping therapy has become more popular in recent years, but it’s actually a very old technique, dating back to the times of ancient Egyptians in 1550 B.C.
What actually is cupping therapy?
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The method of cupping involves a therapist putting special cups on your skin that create suction, which draws fluid into the area that is being treated. Research suggests that cupping therapy can be used to treat the following conditions:
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Muscular injuries such as back, neck and shoulder pain
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Migraines
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Shingles
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Arthritis
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Hypertension
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Is cupping painful?
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This will depend entirely on the client's pain threshold, however, cupping isn’t usually painful but can feel a little odd as the suction from the cup will draw your skin up.
Our therapists will work closely with you to ensure you’re not in any discomfort.
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Shiatsu massage
For those with lower pain thresholds or those who struggle to relax with greater amounts of pressure from our sports massage and deep tissue massage treatments, you could opt for a Shiatsu massage, though all of our massage therapists will be able to adapt their pressure and techniques to suit you.
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Shiatsu massage is a more relaxing form of massage to help release both physical and mental tension. This is a good option for those dealing with lots of stress, anxiety or depression to help improve mood and release the areas of the body that are holding tension as a result.
How is Shiatsu different from massage?
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The main difference between Shiatsu massage and other forms of massage offered at our clinic is the amount of pressure applied to the body and the various techniques involved.
In fact, Shiatsu actually translates as ‘finger pressure’ so patients can expect more soothing and comfortable massage strokes rather than deep strokes you will get with deep tissue massage.
Benefits of Shiatsu massage
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As already mentioned, Shiatsu massage can help to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, as well as release tension throughout the body. Additionally, some studies have claimed that Shiatsu massage can also help treat a range of chronic conditions such as:
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Headaches/migraines
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PMS
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Digestive Conditions
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Fatigue
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Insomnia
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Fibromyalgia
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Musculoskeletal Pain
FAQs​
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How painful is a sports massage?
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This will of course depend on your individual pain threshold. However, it’s quite common to expect some mild discomfort when having a sports massage, particularly deep tissue.
Sports massage will never be unbearable and your therapist will always make sure you are comfortable by applying just the right amount of pressure. If you feel like the pain is too much, it’s important to speak with your therapist.
You can also expect some pain and discomfort in the treated area after the massage, but this should subside quite quickly.
Will a sports massage get rid of knots?
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Sports massage, particularly deep tissue massage is very effective in getting rid of muscle knots and preventing knots from occurring.
How often should I get a sports massage?
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This depends on a number of factors, such as your individual circumstances, the seriousness of the injury, how active you are and many other things.
However, generally speaking, the more frequently you get a sports massage the better the results. Our sports massage therapists will assess and advise you on how many sessions we think you require.
What should I expect after a deep tissue massage?
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After a deep tissue massage, it’s very common to feel a little tender in the area that has been treated. You can often also feel a little tired and dehydrated, so it’s important to get plenty of rest and drink water.
You should also experience some positive things such as improved mood, less stress, more flexibility and less muscle tension.
Do you have to take your clothes off for a sports massage?
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Depending on which area of the body you are being treated, you may need to remove some clothes, however, your sports massage therapist will go through this with you. Ideally, we request that patients wear loose-fitting clothing such as shorts and a t-shirt. You may need to remove your top for upper body treatment.
Why choose our Sports Massage Therapists in Bournemouth?
SoCo Therapies is the perfect place for you to get a sports massage in Bournemouth. We have experienced and professional massage therapists who can help you with any kind of pain or discomfort, whether it is in your back, neck or legs.
We take our time with every client. We never rush through an appointment—our goal is always to give you an experience that leaves you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, no matter what kind of massage you choose.
We always require a longer session for the first visit (1 hour) so our practitioners have time to assess your body's needs and any contraindications to treatment.
After that, we often suggest 30-minute massages for anyone with only one area of discomfort or 45 minutes to an hour for anyone with two or more areas. This will give our practitioners the time to help ease any restrictions you may have.
If you would like to find out more information on our sports massage services or to book an appointment today please call us on 01202 422 000 or send us an email at wecare@socotherapies.co.uk.
We also offer a free 15-minute consultation.
Book your Free Consultation with our Sports Massage Therapist
Want to know if we are right for you?
We offer free 15-minute consultations with our practitioners, so you know you are in the best hands.