Tight hamstrings, a stiff back after a long run, or shoulders that never quite let go after the gym? Our sports massage in Milton Keynes is firm, focused hands-on work aimed at the muscles that are bothering you, not a spa treatment.
Every session starts with a quick chat about your training, your work and where you’re feeling it, so the time goes where it’s needed. Because we’re an osteopathic clinic, if something needs more than massage, we’ll tell you and point you to the right help, such as our sports injury clinic, often under the same roof. Book online in under two minutes, or arrange a free 15-minute consultation (no treatment included) if you’d like to talk it through first.
We are proud to have helped many people to remain pain-free and have over 100 5-star reviews on Google.
Sports massage is a clinically focused massage. Its purpose is therapeutic rather than relaxing, though many people find it deeply relaxing too.
It uses targeted pressure, stretching and compression techniques to release deep muscle tension, improve circulation, speed up recovery and restore normal movement. Unlike a standard relaxation massage, sports massage focuses on outcomes, reducing specific tension patterns, improving range of motion and supporting your body to function better.
It’s particularly effective for:
There are many reasons to get a sports massage. As mentioned above your muscles may be stiff or sore from physical activity – called delayed onset muscle soreness – or simply stiff from spending too much time at your desk. Sports massage can help reduce pain and promote recovery by increasing blood and lymph flow, speeding waste products away from the muscles and increasing the presence of freshly oxygenated blood.
For general muscle health and condition, sports massage can also help to improve muscle efficiency, increase flexibility, recover faster from injuries and make injury less likely to occur in the first place. They can also help with general relaxation and wellbeing, including better sleep.
Aimee is a yoga teacher and osteopath who combines these complementary disciplines to create a unique approach to ongoing health.
Rhodri is an experienced osteopath, passionate about biomechanics and understanding the human body.
Our person-centred practitioners are registered with the General Osteopathic Council and have many years experience in helping you towards a pain-free life.
Aimee is a yoga teacher and osteopath who combines these complementary disciplines to create a unique approach to ongoing health.
Rhodri is an experienced osteopath, passionate about biomechanics and understanding the human body.
There are no rules about when is the best time to have a sports massage. Whilst many elite athletes may have a massage immediately after a tough event or training session, many other people find that a sports massage a day or two after is more beneficial to them, or even before an event as they taper down their training, to be in the best possible condition on the day.
Many people also find that a regular sports massage is beneficial to their sport or to their overall physical wellbeing. This might be weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or just when they feel they need it. Your therapist will be able to help you decide when is the best frequency for you, and at Poplar Osteopathic Clinic we will also help to give you the knowledge and techniques you need to look after your muscles yourself when you are not in the clinic.
Not sure whether you need a sports massage or osteopathy?
A good rule of thumb, if you have specific muscle tightness, soreness or want support for recovery and performance, sports massage is likely the right starting point.
If you have joint pain, nerve pain, a specific injury, or pain that keeps returning despite treatment, osteopathy is usually more appropriate, because it addresses the structural causes rather than the symptoms.
Many patients benefit from both. Our practitioners can assess you and recommend the right approach and we often combine treatment types within a single plan for the best results.
If you’re genuinely not sure, book a free 15 minute consultation and we’ll point you in the right direction.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REGULATION
Sports massage isn’t a protected title in the UK and has no single statutory regulator, so the level of training among therapists can vary widely. At Poplar Osteopathy Clinic, all sports massage treatments are carried out by qualified sports therapists and sports massage therapists.
Our therapists have completed recognised training in sports massage and soft tissue therapy. This gives them a thorough understanding of anatomy, the muscular system and how the body responds to exercise and injury, along with skilled hands-on techniques including palpation, deep tissue work and stretching.
Working alongside our osteopaths means that if a therapist feels your symptoms need further assessment, they can refer you within the clinic for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Want to get more from sports massage? These guides from our team explain when to book, what to expect and how it fits around your training.
We are a family-run clinic in Milton Keynes dedicated to helping you stay fit and healthy. We offer sports massage alongside osteopathic treatment, and Milton Keynes back pain clinic and Milton Keynes sports injury clinic services. We have a unique approach to helping you stand tall again, and focus on not just getting you back to full health but giving you the tools and knowledge you need to take control of your own wellbeing and stay in top condition both now and in the future.
Booking is easy with our online system. If you have any questions about our treatments and how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to book a free 15-minute phone or face-face consultation and we will be more than happy to help and advise.
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Rhodri Griffiths M.Ost, Osteopath, and Aimee Newton M.Ost, Osteopath