Sports Massage in Bournemouth
At SoCo Therapies, we help you recover faster, move better, and feel stronger. Whether you're injured, in pain, or training hard, our experienced therapists deliver results-driven treatment tailored to you.
✔️ 20+ years of hands-on experience
✔️ Trusted by local residents
✔️ Convenient Bournemouth location
✔️ FREE 15-minute consultations
Call 01202 422 000 or book online to get started.

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.



Our Massage Therapists
What is Sports Massage?
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.

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 back pain, they will focus on those muscles as well.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.

FAQs
How painful is a sports massage?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.