Sports massage in Farnham
Tight, sore muscles can hold you back, whether you’re training for a race, playing weekend sport or spending long days at a desk. Sports massage is a hands-on treatment that works on your muscles and soft tissues to ease tension, help you recover and keep you moving well.
At Lake Therapy, our sports and remedial massage therapists work alongside our physiotherapists at Sandy Farm Business Centre in The Sands, just outside Farnham. Your massage can be a regular session to keep your body feeling good, or part of a bigger plan if you’re dealing with an injury.
Prefer to talk first? Call us on 01252 449458 or book a free Discovery Call.
What is sports massage?
Sports massage is a deeper, more targeted form of massage than a relaxing spa treatment. Your therapist uses pressure, stretching and movement to work on your muscles, tendons and the connective tissue around them (called fascia), focusing on the areas that are tight, overworked or sore.
Despite the name, you don’t need to be an athlete to benefit. Sports massage helps anyone whose muscles are under strain, from runners and gym-goers to gardeners, parents carrying little ones and people who sit at a screen all day.
Massage works on muscles, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments, and the gentler techniques can also help the lymphatic system move fluid. That’s why it can feel so different from one session to the next: your therapist picks the right approach for what your body needs that day.
Who is sports massage for?
- Runners, cyclists and swimmers during training blocks and around events
- Team sports players, from football and hockey to netball and rugby
- Gym-goers and people starting a new exercise routine
- Desk workers with tight necks, shoulders and backs
- People with physical jobs, such as trades, care work and warehouse shifts
- Anyone recovering from an injury, alongside their physiotherapy plan
- Anyone who wants regular maintenance to keep moving well as they get older
Our therapists regularly treat members of the Junior British Gymnastics Team, national figure skaters, national swimmers and sprinters, as well as plenty of people who simply want to enjoy their weekend walk without aching afterwards.
How sports massage can help
- Ease muscle tightness and the knots that build up with training or stress
- Help your muscles recover after a hard session or a long working week
- Improve flexibility and how freely you can move
- Reduce stiffness from sitting, driving or repetitive tasks
- Help you relax and feel better in yourself
- Spot problem areas early, before a niggle turns into an injury
Massage increases blood flow to the muscles being worked on, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area, which is one reason it can feel so good afterwards. We’ll always be honest about what massage can and can’t do. If something needs more than massage, we’ll tell you and point you to the right help.
Techniques we use
Every massage is tailored to you, so your therapist will choose from a range of techniques, often combining several in one session:
Deeper pressure work
Slow, firm pressure to reach the deeper layers of muscle where tension tends to build up.
Myofascial release
Sustained pressure and gentle stretching to ease tightness in the fascia that wraps around your muscles.
Trigger point therapy
Focused pressure on tight, tender knots that can cause pain in other areas, such as a sore shoulder blade that gives you a headache.
Effleurage
Long, flowing strokes that warm up your tissues at the start of a session and help you relax.
Lymphatic drainage
Gentle, rhythmic techniques that encourage fluid to move, useful when there’s swelling after an injury.
Cupping
Suction cups that lift the skin and muscle, used alongside other techniques when it suits you.
Sports massage or physiotherapy?
If you have a specific injury, pain that keeps coming back, or you’re not sure what’s wrong, we’d usually suggest starting with physiotherapy so we can assess what’s going on. Massage often becomes part of that plan, alongside exercises and hands-on treatment. For injuries from sport, have a look at our sports injury treatment and our graduate sports therapy.
If your muscles are tight and tired but you’re not injured, a sports massage on its own is a great choice. Still not sure which you need? Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Common problems we see alongside massage include back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain and knee pain.
What to expect at your session
- A quick chat. We ask about your sport or job, where you feel tight or sore, any injuries and anything else about your health we should know.
- A look at how you move. Your therapist checks the areas that are bothering you, so the massage goes where it’s needed most.
- Your massage. We adjust the pressure to what you can comfortably manage. Firm work can feel intense on tight areas, so tell us at any point and we’ll change it.
- Aftercare. We’ll share simple stretches or advice to help the benefits last. It’s normal to feel a little tender for a day or two after deeper work.
If your therapist spots something that needs a closer look, such as an injury rather than simple tightness, they’ll explain what they’ve found and talk you through your options.
Looking after your muscles between sessions
A massage works best as part of a routine. Between sessions, a few simple habits help you hold on to the benefits:
- Keep moving. Gentle walking or easy cycling the day after a deeper massage often feels better than resting completely.
- Stretch little and often. A few minutes after training or at the end of a long day at your desk makes a difference. Our stretching guide is a good place to start.
- Build strength. Strong muscles cope better with training and daily life, so tightness is less likely to come back.
- Build up gradually. Big jumps in training are one of the most common reasons muscles get overloaded.
- Listen to niggles. If an ache keeps coming back in the same place, get it checked rather than pushing through.
If you’d like guided strength, Pilates or yoga sessions at home, our GRO online classes are free for Lake Therapy members.
Why choose Lake Therapy
An experienced team
Our team of around 17 includes 9 Physiotherapists and Graduate Sports Therapists, who hold BSc or MSc degrees in Sports Therapy, alongside our sports and remedial massage therapists.
Everything under one roof
Physiotherapy, sports therapy and massage in one clinic, so your care can change as your needs do. There’s free parking right outside the door.
Hours that fit your life
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm
- Saturday: 7am to 1.30pm
- Sunday: closed
Membership for regular care
Lake Therapy members get a discount on their sessions every month and free access to GRO online classes, ideal if you like a regular massage to stay on top of things.
What our clients say
Not sure if you need massage or physio?
Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call and speak to a senior member of our team. We’ll listen, answer your questions and explain your options before you commit to anything.
Book your free Discovery Call
Sports massage FAQs
Does sports massage hurt?
It can feel firm, and some areas may be tender, especially where muscles are tight. It shouldn’t be unbearable. Your therapist will check in with you and adjust the pressure, and it’s normal to feel a little sore for a day or two afterwards.
Do I need to be an athlete to have a sports massage?
Not at all. Sports massage helps anyone with tight or overworked muscles, including desk workers, people with physical jobs and anyone who wants to keep moving well.
How often should I have a sports massage?
It depends on your goals. Some clients come before or after big events, others every few weeks as regular maintenance. Your therapist can suggest what suits your training and lifestyle.
Should I have a massage before or after an event?
Both can help. A lighter session a few days before can help you feel loose, and a session a few days after can help you recover. We’d usually avoid deep work right before a race or match.
Can sports massage help with an injury?
It can be a useful part of injury rehab, but it isn’t a replacement for an assessment. If you’re injured, we’ll usually suggest starting with physiotherapy so we know exactly what’s going on.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with us online or by calling 01252 449458.
Does my health insurance cover sports massage?
Lake Therapy is a completely independent practice and doesn’t contract with any private medical insurance companies. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim back the cost of some treatment, and we’re happy to give you receipts to help.
Find us
Lake Therapy
Sandy Farm Business Centre, Sands Rd, The Sands, Farnham GU10 1PX
Call 01252 449458
Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00, Sat 07:00–13:30
We see clients from Farnham and the surrounding villages and towns, including Tilford, Frensham, Aldershot, Farnborough, Fleet and Guildford.
Sports massage cost enquiry
Want to know what a sports massage at Lake Therapy would cost? Tell us a little about what you’re looking for and we’ll come back to you with the price options that suit you, including our packages.
Send us your sports massage cost enquiry
Tight, tired muscles don’t have to hold you back. We’re here to help when you’re ready.
Or call us on 01252 449458, or book a free Discovery Call to talk it through first.