Sports Massage in South Kensington
Therapeutic techniques to ease tightness, reduce DOMS and restore mobility — ideal for training blocks, pre-event tune-ups and post-event recovery.
Prefer firm but more general work? Try Deep Tissue. Need problem-solving for persistent pain? See Remedial Massage or Physiotherapy.
Speeds recovery
Helps reduce post-session soreness and improve tissue readiness between workouts.
Releases hotspots
Targets common areas — calves, hamstrings, hips, back and shoulders — with specific techniques.
Improves range
Combines soft-tissue work with mobility to restore easy, confident movement.
What to expect
- Brief consult (sport, load, event dates, niggles)
- Targeted techniques (stripping, trigger point, friction, assisted stretch)
- Focus on 2–3 priority regions per session
- Aftercare: when to train next, hydration and simple mobility
Is Sports Massage right for me?
- Training volume is high
- You have recurring tight spots
- You want pre/post-event support
- Deep Tissue for firm general release
- Lymphatic for puffiness/fluid
- Physiotherapy for acute injury assessment
Suspect a tear, severe swelling, pins/needles or back pain with leg symptoms? Book Physio first.
Aftercare tips
- Hydrate well for 24 hours
- Light mobility or a short walk the same day
- Avoid maximal lifting/intervals until any soreness settles
- Schedule around key sessions (ideally ≥24–48h apart)
Safety notes
Tell your therapist about injuries, pregnancy, blood thinners or medical conditions. For post-surgical care, book Medical Lymphatic Massage.
Frequently asked
How close to a race should I book?
For most, 48–72 hours before race day works well. Post-event, a lighter recovery session within 24–72 hours can help.
Will it hurt?
Sports massage can feel intense over hotspots, but should always be tolerable. We’ll calibrate pressure and check in often.
How often should I come?
In heavy blocks, weekly or fortnightly. For maintenance, every 3–4 weeks works well. Your therapist will suggest timing around your training.
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage therapy is a great antidote to an overworked body. But it’s not just intended for athletes; many of our clients have this treatment to ease all kinds of pain or discomfort brought on by everyday life. It’s effective results mean that you will be at your best for whatever challenge you have ahead.
Why choose the sports massage?
Sports massage is an intense and effective treatment that helps to keep your body in peak physical condition so you can work harder, for longer. The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to aid recovery and prevent injury using a variety of massage techniques and pressures to get to the heart of your problem.
Who carries out the treatment?
The sports massage is performed by qualified physiotherapists and osteopaths with extensive knowledge on the subject. Our therapists at Santi will work with you to ensure you get the best and safest treatment possible. We recognise that everyone will have individual needs, and we aim to reflect this in your treatment.
What are the benefits of this treatment?
Sports massage therapy is especially effective in helping to prevent injury. If you are training for an event, then you will find this treatment particularly useful. The massage will work effectively to speed up your recovery and has the added benefit of reducing your risk of injury by treating the muscle. It can work to improve performance and return you to your physical peak.
What areas does the sports massage target?
A sports massage works to treat the following areas:
Treat the muscle
The massage strokes work to stretch the tissue, relieving strain whilst smoothing the muscle out. This has an added gain in increasing your flexibility. The stretching of the tissue releases tension, and relaxes the muscles, returning them to their natural elasticity. This prevents injury by strengthening the muscle so you do not rely on overuse of other muscles. Risk of injury will be decreased and performance optimised.
Improve circulation
Sports massage therapy will stimulate the release of nutrients and oxygen found in the blood. Massage strokes are carried toward the heart, allowing more blood to be pumped around the body. This reduces cell damage and allows them to regenerate quicker, so you will be ready for your next challenge.
Assist recovery
By stimulating the tissue of the muscles, fluid is broken down around the cells. This means a quicker recovery rate, enabling you to get back to a good performance level.
Breakdown waste products
The sports massage will help to break down any toxins that may build up during exercise. Fluid is encouraged back into blood cells, leading to a quicker regeneration time.
Prevent injury
If you exercise regularly or you have had back problems in the past, sports massage therapy will help you to prevent future injuries.
Relax the mind
The benefits to the nervous system after a sports massage are great too. Besides taking tension away from the muscle, it is great for winding down. Less stress in the muscles means less stress in the mind.
The massage is carried out by Santi’s qualified osteopath. They will use a range of techniques based on the Swedish massage and more advanced methods to reduce areas of stress. These are similar to the techniques found in Shiatsu massage.
Is it just for regular exercisers?
Not necessarily – sports massage therapy is an intensive treatment that can banish all kinds of niggling pains.
Tension builds up in tissues as a result of physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Above all, it can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether one is an athlete, ardent keep-fitter or a once a week jogger.
This treatment is not just for the sports person – anyone can benefit from a sports massage, including people in physically demanding jobs and those not quite so obvious (occupational, emotional and postural stress may produce many similar characteristics to sports injuries).
How does a sports massage benefit athletes?
Sports massage can help athletes by improving flexibility and range of motion, reducing muscle soreness and fatigue, and decreasing recovery time after intense physical activity. It can also help to prevent injury by identifying and addressing areas of muscle tension and imbalance. Additionally, sports massage can improve circulation, which can help to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, and remove waste products. Finally, it can help to improve mental focus and relaxation, which can enhance overall performance.
Maintenance Massage
This is a regular massage treatment programme based on the therapist’s understanding of anatomy and of the muscles used in a given sport and which muscles are likely candidates for trouble. By concentrating on particular muscle groups the therapist can help the athlete maintain or improve motion and muscle flexibility.
Sports Event Massage
Pre-event and post-event massage therapies are tailored for distinct purposes. Pre-event treatment is used as a supplement to an athlete’s warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is tailored to the needs of the athlete and his/her event and can be relaxing or stimulating as appropriate. Post-event massage, on the other hand, is geared towards reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occurs with rigorous exercise. Various sports massage techniques enhance the body’s own recovery process improving the athlete’s ability to return to training and competition, and reducing the risk of injury.
Rehabilitation
Even with preventative maintenance, muscles cramp, tear, bruise, and ache. Sports massage therapy can speed healing and reduce discomfort during the rehabilitation process. Soft tissue techniques employed by sports massage therapists are effective in the management of both acute and chronic injuries.
Trigger point techniques reduce the spasm and pain that occur both in the injured and ‘compensation’ muscles.
Cross-fibre friction techniques can help with healing by improved formation of strong and flexible repair tissue, which is vital to maintaining a full pain-free range of motion during rehabilitation.
In all cases, such massage techniques are employed in collaboration with other appropriate medical care.
How often should I have a sports massage?
A repeated course is recommended for those that train regularly.
Book your free sports massage therapy consultation.
Massage therapists at Santi are some of the best in London; they’re fully qualified professionals, experienced in physiotherapy, massage and osteopathy and skin treatments.
Santi Spa is located next to South Kensington tube station so it’s easy to get to from most areas in London.
We’re open during the evenings till 8pm and weekends till 7pm.
Find out about our other massage treatments in South Kensington.
Santi London, 33 Thurloe Street, London SW7 2LQ Appointments: 0207 5847000 info@santilondon.com
Benefiting from a sports massage at Santi
Sports massage is a type of massage therapy that is specifically designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. Here are some of the scientific benefits of sports massage:
Reduced muscle soreness:
Sports massage can help reduce muscle soreness, also known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is common after intense physical activity. This is because massage helps increase blood flow to the affected muscles, which in turn helps to remove waste products and bring in oxygen and nutrients.
Improved range of motion:
Massage can help to improve range of motion by increasing flexibility and reducing tightness in the muscles and connective tissues. This can be especially beneficial for athletes who need to perform a wide range of movements.
Enhanced muscle recovery:
Massage can help to speed up muscle recovery after intense physical activity by increasing blood flow and removing waste products from the muscles. This can help to reduce the risk of injury and allow athletes to return to their sport more quickly.
Increased flexibility:
Massage can help to increase flexibility by promoting relaxation and reducing tightness in the muscles and connective tissues. This can be especially beneficial for athletes who need to perform a wide range of movements.
Reduced risk of injury:
By improving range of motion, flexibility, and muscle recovery, massage can help to reduce the risk of injury in athletes. This can help to prolong an athlete’s career and keep them performing at their best for longer.
It’s important to note that the effects of sports massage can vary depending on the individual and the type of sport being played. It’s always best to consult with your qualified sports massage therapist at Santi to determine what type of massage will be most beneficial for you.