Sports Massage

Feeling a bit stiff and sore after high impact activity is normal, and we all know the importance of warming up, cooling down and stretching before and after. But what do you do if your symptoms persist, or get worse?
Whatever your activity level, age or fitness, sometimes soreness can hold you back – and that’s when you may need professional support. It is not just for high level athletes.

At Recover Physiotherapy we are experienced in treating all kinds of sport and exercise related muscular issues, using specialist techniques to flush out toxins and reduce muscle tightness, so that you can get back to your favourite activities.

Read more below, to find out if sports massage is the right fit for you.

What is a Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a form of therapy that targets muscle tension, promoting recovery, and preventing injury. It targets common complaints such as muscle stress and tension symptoms using techniques like deep tissue work, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release.

Unlike relaxation massage, sports massage is outcome-driven and tailored to your physical demands. It focuses on improving muscle efficiency, blood circulation, and relieving tight muscle areas to allow customers to continue to their best ability, at whatever level that is.

At Recover Physio our approach is to customise the techniques we use based on your individual needs including the sport you play, your training phase, and your individual biomechanics. Our experts provide individualised treatment to suit each customer’s personal goals.

Who can benefit from a sports massage?

At Recover Physio we treat individuals from both a wide range of sporting backgrounds, including team sports like football, endurance sports such as running and cycling, racket sports like tennis, performance disciplines like gymnastics and those whose activity levels are more modest but would still benefit from our treatments.

Anyone who’s active and wants to look after their body can be treated, including those of all ages and activity levels. Whether you enjoy walking or you’re a recreational runner, regular gym-goer, or a competitive athlete, anyone who engages in physical activity can benefit from targeted massage therapy to relieve muscle soreness, enhance flexibility, support recovery, and reduce the risk of injury.

There’s no age limit, at Recover Physio we regularly treat clients from their teenage years through to those in their 60s and beyond. 

The treatment also isn’t limited to those who play sports. These techniques can benefit anyone from office workers with postural tension to people recovering from surgery or strain. However, in some cases, a gentler remedial massage or physiotherapy might be more suitable.

Recover Physio’s founder, Stuart Wardle, has a unique insight into sports massage therapy, due to his  background as Head Physio at Norwich City FC. His experience working with elite footballers has shaped our approach to recovery and performance care, especially for team sports players and endurance athletes. Stuart’s insight helps us deliver effective, sports-specific treatments tailored to individual needs.

When should you consider a sports massage?

Physical exercise is important for long-term health, but high-impact sports can place significant strain on the body. Intense activity can cause micro-tears in the muscles, leading to soreness and fatigue. Overworking muscles without proper recovery can lead to chronic tension and tightness.

There are a number of key reasons that someone might benefit from a sports massage, some of which include:

• Persistent muscle soreness: If muscle aches linger for longer than usual after workouts, your body might be struggling to recover. Sports massage can help flush out toxins and boost circulation to speed up the healing process.
• Restricted range of motion: Tightness in joints or stiffness that affects your movement may indicate that muscles and fascia need releasing. Massage techniques can restore mobility and reduce the risk of injury.
• Nagging injuries or recurring pain: Ongoing discomfort, especially in areas prone to overuse like hamstrings, calves, or shoulders, may signal muscular imbalances or scar tissue buildup—both treatable through targeted massage.
• Increased training load: When ramping up your workouts, recovery is crucial. Sports massage helps manage fatigue, improves flexibility, and prepares your body to adapt to higher demands.
• Pre-event or post-event preparation: Before a big race or competition, massage can prime your muscles and calm your nerves. Afterward, it helps reduce soreness and accelerates recovery.

What are the limitations of sports massages?

Sports massage can be a valuable and effective stand alone treatment or as a complement to physiotherapy, particularly for conditions like tendinopathies, muscle imbalances, and overuse injuries.  If you are unsure exactly what treatment would benefit you then book a Physiotherapy assessment and we will advise on the best management for your individual condition. 

It’s not a substitute for medical care

On its own, sports massage doesn’t treat the root cause of persistent or complex injuries. While it can ease muscle tightness, soreness, and improve circulation, the effects are generally best used for maintenance or as part of a treatment plan. 

Chronic or recurring injuries typically require a multidisciplinary approach, combining:

• Physiotherapy
• Targeted rehabilitation
• Ongoing load management
• In some cases, medical intervention

Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for effective recovery. This should include a physiotherapy assessment, accurate diagnosis, and an individualised exercise-based program. 

It’s important to note that sports massage and soft tissue therapy do not provide any form of diagnosis.

It’s not suitable for all conditions

It works well for the prevention of many sport-related injuries, but sports massage can also be unsuitable for patients experiencing medical conditions which need other medical treatments. Some of these include:

• Acute injuries such as muscle strain and severe ligament sprains
• Infections, open wounds, or skin conditions
• Certain health issues, such as blood clots, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and some cancers

If you’re unsure if your condition is suitable for sports massage therapy, you can arrange to speak to one of our Physiotherapists or book for an initial assessment to get a treatment plan specifically for your condition. 

Does it cause discomfort or have side effects?

Some deep techniques can be uncomfortable, and post-massage soreness or mild bruising is not uncommon. Individuals with low pain tolerance in particular may therefore not respond well to intense pressure.

However, during the treatment you will always be asked for feedback on the pressure and pain levels, which will be adjusted as required to make the treatment as comfortable as possible whilst still providing benefit.

What should you do if you suffer a sports injury?

If you’ve sustained a sports injury, you can follow these steps:

1. Stop the activity: Don’t push through pain.
2. Initial care: Use RICE principles (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) within the first 48 hours for minor injuries.
3. Seek professional assessment: Early intervention from a physiotherapist at Recover can speed up recovery and prevent complications.
4. Follow a rehab plan: Guided exercises and ongoing manual therapy are often key to full recovery.
5. Use massage as part of your recovery: When appropriate, sports massage may support healing by improving circulation, reducing stiffness, and easing muscle tension.

Sports Massage at Recover Physio

Recover Physio is uniquely suited to helping clients through sports massage, offering an elite level of care built on a foundation of experience in professional sport. Founded by Stuart Wardle, whose background includes working with Norwich City Football Club (NCFC), the clinic brings a deep understanding of what it takes to keep athletes of all levels performing at their best. 

At NCFC, Stuart was part of a multidisciplinary team delivering integrated treatment and recovery strategies to Premier League footballers. This care combined physiotherapy, massage therapy, strength and conditioning, and medical oversight.

Recognising that the general public could benefit from the same expert approach, Stuart established Recover Physio to make this high standard of care accessible to all. The clinic is built on the belief that everyone, from competitive athletes to recreational runners and active individuals, deserves personalised, effective treatment that reflects their lifestyle, goals, and physical demands.

Sports massage plays a central role in this. At Recover Physio, it’s more than just a recovery tool, it’s part of a broader, individualised strategy to support performance, manage load, prevent injury, and accelerate healing. Every treatment is tailored to the individual, taking into account their sport, training demands, injury history, and goals.

What truly sets Recover Physio apart is the expertise of its therapists. Each member of the team has a strong understanding of sport and the specific physical stresses involved, whether that’s high-intensity training, repetitive movements, or competition preparation. This insight allows them to deliver highly targeted sports massage that fits seamlessly into a wider treatment or performance plan, often alongside physiotherapy or rehabilitation exercises.

By combining clinical expertise with real-world sports experience, Recover Physio ensures that clients receive the same level of care a professional athlete would, adapted to their own unique needs and ambitions.

Find your nearest Recover Physio branch

Recover Physio is proud to offer expert physiotherapy services across Norwich. With two conveniently located branches in the city centre on Princes Street, and at The Nest just off Holt Road, we are committed to serving the community in Norfolk. 

Whether you are looking for support with musculoskeletal issues, rehabilitation, or specialised treatments, our team is here to help.