Sports massage offers a multitude of benefits for athletes and those who engage in regular physical activity. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Improved Athletic Performance: By enhancing flexibility, range of motion, and muscle function, sports massage can significantly boost athletic performance. Athletes often find that regular sessions help them perform at their peak.

• Injury Prevention: Sports massage therapists focus on identifying areas of tension and weakness in the muscles. Addressing these issues can help prevent injuries before they occur, keeping athletes in top form.

• Reduced Muscle Soreness: One of the most appreciated benefits is the reduction of muscle soreness and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after intense exercise. This allows athletes to recover faster and get back to their training routines.

• Improved Recovery: By increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, sports massage promotes quicker recovery after workouts or competitions. This is crucial for athletes who need to maintain a rigorous training schedule.

• Reduced Stress and Anxiety: The pressures of athletic performance can lead to stress and anxiety. Sports massage helps alleviate these mental strains, contributing to overall well-being and better focus during competitions.

However, a sports massage isn’t just for sports people! Many of our patients find that they benefit from deep tissue massage to complement their chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatment focuses on spinal misalignments and the nervous system, making it particularly beneficial for acute pain caused by sudden injuries, while sports massage is effective for treating muscle-related pain and serves as a complementary therapy. However, they are sometimes concerned that a massage therapist may not understand the complexities of their condition. We have the perfect solution – sports massage delivered by a chiropractor!

Typically, sports massages are performed by licensed massage therapists who have undergone specialised training in sports massage techniques. These professionals are adept at tailoring their approach to meet the specific needs of each athlete, ensuring optimal results.

Our chiropractor Tom Hatch is able to offer deeper tissue work for those who like a firm massage, but is also able to adapt the pressure and techniques to suit the needs and preferences of any individual. Deep tissue massage focuses particularly on general aches and pains and stress reduction, making them suitable for a diverse range of clients, including those with sedentary lifestyles. With access to your chiropractic notes, Tom will have full knowledge of your chiropractic care, enabling him to take your full medical and treatment history into account in order to maximise the benefit of your session with him. Before studying chiropractic, Tom qualified in sports massage (BTEC Level 3), and soft tissue work remains a special interest for him.

Book a “Sports Massage Plus” appointment with Tom (45 minutes), and he will be happy to include chiropractic adjustments, in addition to having ample time for sports massage. Alternatively, the whole appointment can be dedicated to pure sports massage, at the same time benefitting from Tom’s chiropractic knowledge. Tom will use his blend of skills to suit your preferences.

Sports Massage Plus appointments can be booked online, or by calling Reception on 01428 642778.

Helen is masterful at finding areas of tension or chronic pain that need to be addressed. Sports and deep tissue massages are particularly effective in reducing chronic muscle tension and enhancing recovery. Working into problem areas with Swedish and Remedial massage techniques she relaxes the muscles without deep pressure. Helen started her journey into complementary therapies when she studied Reflexology at the widely renowned Raworth Centre, qualifying in 1995. She went on to also qualify in Swedish Massage and Aromatherapy.

In 2002 Helen spent 18 months studying Remedial Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage at Nature Care College in Sydney, Australia. Medical applications for Manual Lymphatic Drainage are a particular interest for Helen. Manual lymphatic drainage is a light tactile therapy which works on the lymphatic system and my help those living with primary/secondary lymphoedema and fluid retention

Additional training in Maternity Reflexology and Massage enables Helen to help support expectant mums through their pregnancies.

Helen is a member of the Association of Reflexologists and the International Federation of Aromatherapists and works from Haslemere Chiropractic Clinic on Monday evenings and some Saturday mornings. Helen manages her own bookings and can be contacted on 07704 652129.