What Is Massage?
Massage therapy is a hands-on treatment that involves manipulating the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues of the body to relieve pain, reduce tension and improve movement. It is an effective treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and can also help promote relaxation and overall wellbeing.
At our clinic, massage is used as part of a comprehensive physiotherapy approach. Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing long-term pain or simply experiencing muscle tightness from everyday life, your treatment will be tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Massage can help to:
- Reduce muscle tension and stiffness
- Relieve aches and pains
- Improve circulation
- Increase flexibility and range of movement
- Support injury recovery
- Reduce stress and promote relaxation
- Improve overall physical function
Our therapists will discuss your symptoms before treatment to ensure your massage is appropriate, effective and personalised to you.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage (sometimes referred to as regular massage) is designed to ease muscle tension, relieve discomfort and improve overall wellbeing. It is suitable for people of all ages and activity levels, whether you’re experiencing tight muscles from work, poor posture, daily activities or general wear and tear.
Treatment is adapted to your needs and may include gentle or deeper techniques depending on your symptoms and preferences. Therapeutic massage is ideal for maintaining healthy muscles, improving mobility and helping you feel your best.
This type of massage is commonly used for:
- General muscle aches and pains
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Lower back pain
- Stress-related muscle tightness
- Poor posture
- Everyday muscle fatigue
Sports massage is a specialised form of massage that focuses on preventing and treating muscle injuries associated with exercise and physical activity. Despite its name, it isn’t just for athletes—it’s beneficial for anyone who leads an active lifestyle or experiences muscle tightness from regular physical activity.
Sports massage uses a combination of techniques to target specific muscles, improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness and aid recovery after exercise or injury.
Sports massage can help:
- Improve athletic performance
- Speed up recovery after exercise
- Reduce muscle soreness
- Prevent injuries
- Improve flexibility and movement
- Treat overuse injuries
- Prepare muscles before sporting events
Whether you’re training for a marathon, playing weekend football or simply enjoying regular gym sessions, sports massage can help keep your body performing at its best.
Pregnancy massage is a gentle treatment specifically adapted to support women during pregnancy. As your body changes, muscles and joints can come under increased strain, leading to discomfort in the back, hips, pelvis, shoulders and legs.
Our pregnancy massage techniques are carefully modified to ensure both comfort and safety for you and your baby. Positioning, pressure and treatment areas are all adapted according to your stage of pregnancy and individual needs.
Pregnancy massage may help:
- Relieve lower back and pelvic pain
- Reduce neck and shoulder tension
- Ease aching legs and feet
- Reduce swelling in the hands and ankles
- Improve circulation
- Promote relaxation and better sleep
- Help reduce stress and anxiety
Before treatment, we’ll discuss your pregnancy, medical history and any concerns to ensure massage is suitable for you.
Your appointment begins with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals. This helps us understand the cause of your discomfort and tailor your massage to your individual needs.
During treatment, your therapist will use a range of massage techniques depending on your condition, comfort level and desired outcome. Pressure can be adjusted throughout the session, and we encourage you to let us know if anything feels uncomfortable.
After your massage, you may be given advice on stretches, exercises or self-management techniques to help maximise the benefits of your treatment. Some mild soreness is normal for a day or two after deeper massage techniques, but this usually settles quickly as your muscles recover.
Does massage hurt?
Massage should never be excessively painful. Some techniques, particularly sports massage or treatment of tight muscles, may feel uncomfortable at times, but the pressure will always be adjusted to suit your comfort level.
How long does a massage appointment last?
Appointment lengths vary depending on your needs, but common treatment times are 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
Do I need to remove all of my clothing?
No. You’ll only be asked to uncover the area being treated, and towels will be used throughout your appointment to ensure your comfort and privacy.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on your condition, how long you’ve had your symptoms and your treatment goals. Some people experience significant relief after one session, while others benefit from a series of treatments.
Can I have a sports massage if I don’t play sport?
Absolutely. Sports massage is suitable for anyone experiencing muscle tightness, repetitive strain or movement restrictions—not just athletes.
Is pregnancy massage safe?
Yes. Pregnancy massage is generally safe when carried out by a trained professional and adapted appropriately for each stage of pregnancy. If you have any medical concerns or pregnancy complications, we’ll discuss these with you before treatment to ensure it is suitable.
Conditions Massage Can Help Treat
While massage is highly effective for many muscular conditions, it may not be suitable for everyone. If we feel another treatment would be more beneficial, we’ll discuss this with you and recommend the most appropriate course of care.
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Muscle strains
- Sports injuries
- Muscle tension and tightness
- Tension headaches
- Postural pain
- Hip pain
- Leg muscle tightness
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Joint stiffness
- Recovery following exercise
- Pregnancy-related muscular discomfort
