Sports Massage Therapy
Pushing through the same aches week after week? Or just aware that your body isn't moving quite the way it used to?
Sports massage is a purposeful, hands-on therapy that works with your muscles in a more targeted way than a regular massage. Using a combination of deep tissue techniques, stretching, and mobilisation, it gets into the areas where tension and restriction have built up, to help ease pain, restore movement, and support your body in recovering properly.
It's not just for athletes. Anyone who sits at a desk all day, stands for long shifts, or simply feels like their body is working against them can benefit. And whether you're recovering from a specific injury or just trying to stay a step ahead of one, we'll tailor every session to what your body actually needs. If you're also interested in cupping massage, which pairs particularly well with sports recovery work, you can find out more on our dedicated page.
What Can Sports Massage Help With?
Sports massage is well suited to a broad range of muscular and movement-related concerns. Here are some of the conditions our therapists commonly work with:
- Muscle tension and tightness: targeted pressure releases chronically tight areas that stretching alone can't always reach
- Sports injuries: may support recovery from strains, sprains, and overuse injuries by improving circulation and reducing inflammation
- Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS): post-exercise massage can help ease the stiffness that sets in a day or two after intense activity
- Back and neck pain: releasing muscular tension along the spine and shoulders can significantly reduce everyday pain and stiffness
- Postural tension: sitting or standing for long periods creates specific patterns of tightness that sports massage is well placed to address
- Reduced flexibility and range of motion: a combination of deep tissue work and assisted stretching can help restore movement you might have written off
- Pre-event preparation: increases circulation and primes the muscles for activity, helping reduce the risk of injury during training or competition
- Post-event recovery: supports the body in clearing metabolic waste products and returning to its resting state more quickly
- Scar tissue and adhesions: old injuries can leave restrictions in the soft tissue that limit movement over time; massage may help soften these
- General stress and fatigue: the physical release that comes with sports massage has a real effect on the nervous system too, not just the muscles
Meet Our Therapists
Our sports massage therapists hold professional qualifications from recognised industry bodies, including the Sports Massage Association, the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage, and the Federation of Holistic Therapists. All practitioners work within the scope of their training and follow the professional guidelines set by their awarding body. Browse individual profiles to find out more about each therapist's background and approach.
Dahnen Murdanaigum
Massage Therapist
Rahmah Patel
Massage Therapist
Gosia Tiwan
Massage Therapist
Ready to book your appointment?
We offer a range of treatments to help you feel your best. Book online,
call us or visit our centre to schedule your appointment.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing, or bring shorts if you prefer; your therapist will need good access to the area being treated
- Your session starts with a short consultation: a few questions about your training, daily routine, injury history, and what you're hoping to get out of the treatment
- Your therapist will then work on the specific areas of concern using a combination of deep tissue pressure, stretching, and mobilisation techniques; the pressure is firm but always within your comfort level
- You may feel some tenderness during the session, particularly over tighter areas; this is normal and should ease quickly
- It's common to feel a little sore for 24 to 48 hours afterwards, similar to how you feel after a challenging workout; drinking plenty of water can help your body process the treatment
Massage Pricing
Massage 30 Minutes
(All standard types)
£50
Osteopathy Sports Massage
60 Minutes
£125
Massage 60 Minutes
(All standard types)
£90
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
45 Minutes
£99
Massage 90 Minutes
(All standard types)
£125
Indian Head Massage
45 Minutes
£75
Your Questions Answered
Does sports massage hurt?
It can feel intense, particularly over areas of deep tension, but it shouldn't be more than you're comfortable with. Your therapist will check in with you throughout and adjust the pressure to suit. If something doesn't feel right, always say so. Most people find the sensation somewhere between relieving and satisfying.
Do I need to be sporty to benefit from sports massage?
Not at all. Sports massage is just as effective for people who spend long hours at a desk, do physical work, or simply carry a lot of tension in their body. The techniques travel well beyond sport, and many of our clients come in not for training-related reasons, but simply because they want effective muscular relief.
What's the difference between sports massage and deep tissue massage?
There's quite a bit of overlap, and both use firm, targeted pressure to work through muscular tension. The main distinction is in what each approach is structured around. Deep tissue massage focuses on releasing chronic tension and working through the layers of muscle and connective tissue. Sports massage is built specifically around movement, performance, and recovery: it often incorporates stretching, joint mobilisation, and an assessment of how the body is functioning, not just where it hurts. If you're unsure which is right for your situation, it's worth having a conversation with one of our therapists before booking. They can help point you in the right direction.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on what you're coming in for. A single session can make a real difference for acute tension or post-event recovery. Ongoing issues, old injuries, or high training loads often benefit more from a short course of treatment. Your therapist will give you an honest sense of what to expect after the first appointment, and won't recommend more than they feel is genuinely useful.
Should I wait until it gets worse?
We hear this all the time: "It's not that bad yet, I'll see how it goes." The truth? Muscle and joint pain doesn't usually resolve the way a cut or bruise does. The longer compensation patterns continue, the harder they can be to correct. Early treatment often means: fewer sessions overall, faster recovery, lower risk of chronic issues, better long-term mobility. Prevention is always easier than cure.
Why Choose Brixton Therapy Centre?
- 7-day appointments
- Early morning and evening availability
- Emergency appointments when possible
- Phone support 7am-9pm
- Personalised exercise plans
- Confidential, detailed reports if needed
- Online booking, fast and secure
- Caring for the Brixton community since 1999
- Concessions for those on low income (call to ask)
- Concessions for NHS staff (call to ask)
Still Not Sure?
If you're in pain and wondering whether we can help, that's exactly why we're here. You don't need to know what the problem is. You don't need a referral. You just need to take the first step. Book online today or call 020 7733 9944 to speak to us.
Cupping Massage
Suction-based therapy that lifts the muscle layers rather than pressing into them, particularly effective for chronic tension and sports recovery
Deep Tissue Massage
Firm, targeted work on deeper muscle layers, well suited to chronic tension, postural strain, and persistent aches
Indian Head Massage
A seated treatment working the scalp, neck, and shoulders, popular for tension headaches and stress
Lymphatic Drainage
A very light, rhythmic technique that supports the lymphatic system and may help with fluid retention
Pregnancy Massage
Specifically adapted to support the body's changing needs during pregnancy
Reflexology
Pressure-point work on the feet, hands, or ears that aims to support wellbeing across the whole body
Sports Massage
Focused on athletic performance and recovery, and on keeping active bodies moving well
Swedish Relaxing Massage
A gentler, flowing treatment ideal for stress relief, tension, and general relaxation