Read our guide on how to find the best sports massage therapist in London – it could be the difference between a disappointing and painful massage or a highly effective tension-releasing treatment!
As a London-based clinic with several award-winning treatment hubs in the capital, we tend to focus on London. However, these tips for understanding massage therapy and choosing a competent sports massage therapist are applicable across the UK.
Keep reading to find out what level of education a sports massage therapist should have, and how to choose the right professional for your sports massage sessions.
Table of Contents
What is a Sports Massage Therapist?
A sports massage therapist is a professional individual who has been trained in sports massage – this is a separate (yet closely related) profession to physiotherapy, osteopathy, and massage. Using deep and intense massage techniques, sports massage therapists focus on relaxing the muscles, releasing tension, treating soreness and stiffness, and helping individuals either recover or enhance their athletic performance.
You can read more about sports massage therapy in our ultimate guide, but here’s the takeaway: anyone leading an active lifestyle, whether they’re an athlete or office worker, can enjoy a sports massage.
You know that it’s time to book a sports massage when you are:
- Tense, stiff or sore and need to relax,
- Have a sports injury that you’d like to boost recovery for,
- Need to relax and loosen up before a sporting event,
- Need to assess injuries or prepare for recovery after a sporting event,
- Want to incorporate massage into your training schedule,
- Looking to better understand your body, including limitations and strengths.
To ensure that the sports massage therapist really is the best available for your needs, start by looking at their education.
Sports Massage Education Levels
In the UK, sports massage therapists can be educated to one of three levels. If the sports massage therapist or clinic does not clearly state the qualifications, education and experience of the practitioners, that’s a major red flag to avoid them!
Level 3 Sports Massage in London
Level 3 is the minimum qualification any sports massage therapist should have. It teaches therapists to treat sports injuries and manipulate tissue using sports massage techniques.
A therapist with this entry-level diploma can provide sports massage to most individuals and knows how to adapt their techniques for sports injuries. Whether a therapist is independent or part of a clinic team, they should have a level 3 diploma at the very least.
Level 4 Sports Massage in London
The next level of education is the Level 4 Sports Massage diploma. This level is roughly equivalent to a University entry-level course and it goes into more detail. Sports massage therapists who want to specialise in a particular area of sports massage often obtain this level.
As well as knowing how to provide an effective massage and treat sports injuries, a therapist with a level 4 education can:
- Use objective assessment techniques and clinical procedures,
- Use more advanced tissue mobilisation techniques,
- Customise the treatments offered for specific purposes (e.g. post-event relaxation, injury prevention, strength training, etc.).
At this level, therapists should understand the biomechanics involved in different movements and be able to provide guidance on how to prevent injuries through proper warm-ups, stretching routines, and strengthening exercises.
Going beyond level 3 is totally optional, so if a sports massage therapist has taken the time to attain level 4, you know they are committed to their profession.
Level 5 Sports Massage in London
The last level is roughly equivalent to an undergraduate degree in university and is the highest sports massage qualification obtainable in the UK. If you need very bespoke sports massage therapy or want the best of the best, this might be something to look for.
Building on previous levels, this diploma teaches therapists the intricacies of exercise physiology, rehabilitation, acute conditions, and injury pathology.
Other Qualifications
In addition to the educational level the sports massage therapist has reached, a good massage therapist will have more to show on their resume. At One Body, for example, our sports massage therapists are also fully licensed and registered physiotherapists.
Continuing education, learning new techniques, and gaining new qualifications is so important. Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences related to sports medicine, massage therapy, and rehabilitation helps us refine our skills and provide high-quality care using the latest science-backed techniques.
You can browse our team to find their specialisations and other qualifications. For example, you could find a sports massage therapist at one of our clinics would could provide expertise in:
- Sport-specific physiotherapy (e.g. rugby, hockey, athleticism, football).
- Injury rehabilitation.
- Exercise science.
- Deep tissue massage, cupping, acupuncture, and osteopathy techniques.
- Gym based strength training and conditioning.
Many sports massage therapists may also be registered with independent regulators and communities, like the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage (ISRM) or the Sports Massage Association (SMA).
Finding the best sports massage therapist means matching their qualifications and experience with your goals. Even if you just need a 30-minute massage therapy session to unwind after a stressful week at work, it’s good to know that your therapist can go above and beyond!
Roles and Responsibilities
But what exactly does a sports massage therapist do? Understanding the knowledge, techniques and treatments that a sports massage therapist should be capable of will help you judge and compare clinics and individual therapists.
Basic Knowledge
To provide effective sports massages, any therapist you are considering booking a session with should know the basics of anatomy and the musculoskeletal system. They should also be experts on health and fitness, particularly for sports fanatics and athletes.
More specifically, you should be able to quiz your sports massage therapist about:
- Your muscles and joints.
- Training safely and with injuries or during rehabilitation.
- Regulations and laws regarding the sports massage practice in the UK.
- Common sports injuries and strains.
For example, your sports massage therapist should know the repetitive strain injuries common in runners, the shoulder issues prevalent among swimmers, or the lower back problems often faced by golfers. A good sports massage therapist can also provide a thorough assessment of posture, movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and areas of tension or weakness.
Pairing this knowledge with techniques and practices (see next) equips a therapist to provide effective sports massage.
Techniques and Practices
Sports massage therapy primarily uses intense, deep tissue massage techniques. It’s more thorough than a typical massage and might “hurt in a good way”. The specific techniques that a sports massage therapist may employ include:
- Trigger point and knot release.
- Myofascial release.
- Hacking and cupping.
- Stroking and kneading (effleurage and petrissage).
- Friction.
- Wringing.
A sports massage therapist may also use Swedish style massage techniques, for a gentler approach. Importantly, even though sports massage can “hurt” in the moment, it shouldn’t hurt beyond the session. In fact, it should relieve any pain or muscle soreness you are experiencing and may even speed up recovery.
Specific Treatments
Sports massage therapy is for anyone leading an active lifestyle, but for athletes in particular, sports massage therapy can be used pre-event, post-event, during training, or for injury recovery.
A pre-event massage, usually on the day of the event, may involve light stretching and gentle massage techniques. The goal here is to excite the muscles and prepare your body for peak performance. Post-event, however, the goal is to relax the muscles and assess for any injuries. Promoting blood flow via massage can also help to ease Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) symptoms after an event or intense training session.
Other specific treatments that a sports massage therapist may offer will vary depending on the sport or athlete. A good sign of a competent sports massage therapist is if they can hold an in-depth conversation about your sport. At One Body, for example, many of our physios and sports massage therapists have first-hand experience and expert knowledge of specific sports and exercises.
Additionally, a well-rounded sports massage therapist may integrate more therapies to enhance the effectiveness of their treatments. This could include cupping therapy, acupuncture, kinesiology taping, or Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM). By combining different therapeutic approaches, we can offer comprehensive care for a broader range of issues and speed up the healing process.
Other Responsibilities
Finally, there are some additional responsibilities that a good sports massage therapist will be a master of:
- Creating a professional yet friendly atmosphere,
- Going through your medical history with you and thoroughly discussing any past or current conditions,
- Assessing your body and injuries before beginning the massage,
- Talking to you about recovery and what you should be doing between massage sessions.
Looking for good communication skills (either through the phone call to book your session or customer reviews online) is key to finding a great therapist, especially if you’re seeking regular sessions.
The Best Sports Massage Therapists in London
So, to summarise, the best sports massage therapists in London will be:
- Educated to Level 3, 4 or 5.
- Have additional qualifications and experiences to show their commitment to the practice.
- Be very knowledgeable not just about sports massage but also anatomy, fitness, health, injuries and your specific sport (if applicable).
- Able to use a range of techniques that can be adapted for your sessions.
- Great communicators with a friendly yet professional vibe that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.
This is what we strive for at One Body. Our sports massage therapists are all fully qualified and registered physiotherapists who receive 5x more ongoing training and education than required to practise in the UK!
To find out how to book a sports massage session in one of our London clinics, explore our sports massage services today.
FAQs
Should you choose an independent sports massage therapist or a clinic?
Clinics are a great way to get a relaxing sports massage in a professional and comfortable environment. Independent sports massage therapists are also a good option if you need more flexibility and a therapist who can come to you. Whichever you choose, just make sure you check their qualifications, customer reviews, and experience to ensure they are a good fit for you.
What’s the difference between a sports therapist and a sports massage therapist?
A sports massage therapist is focused on using massage techniques, while a sports therapist has a broader scope. Besides massage, the sports therapist might specialise in gait analysis, athlete nutrition, trauma care, and much more. Anyone can see a sports massage therapist, even if they’re just aching from sitting at a desk all day. A sports therapist, however, typically only treats athletes in a sports setting.
What makes a sports massage therapist good?
Aside from their education and qualifications, a good sports massage therapist should be passionate about sports, lead an active lifestyle, be knowledgeable about any sports they specialise in, and be great communicators that can help their patients feel at ease. Being passionate about sports and eager to continue their education to learn more about massage practice is also a sign of a great sports massage therapist.
What education does a sports massage therapist need?
To practise in the UK, a sports massage therapist needs a diploma in sports massage. The most basic diploma is a level 3, which will enable therapists to begin practising. For a more knowledgeable sports massage therapist, look for therapists with level 4 or level 5 diplomas. The latter is equivalent to an undergraduate degree.
