What should you know about a sports massage therapist?

Sports massage may include gliding pressure, kneading and focused work around muscles used in training. The aim is to support comfortable movement and recovery, not to force painful pressure. Muscle soreness after exercise can feel diffuse and settle with rest, while a muscle strain may cause more specific pain, tenderness or weakness. A muscle contusion after a blow needs particular care, especially when bruising or swelling is present.

Tell the therapist about recent injuries, medicines, skin problems, pain location and your training load. A session should be adjusted if tissue is acutely painful, swollen or bruised. Calf pain deserves careful discussion because massage may be unsuitable when symptoms are unexplained or accompanied by swelling, warmth or breathlessness. Myofascial release is another hands-on approach that may be discussed. Hydrate normally, communicate about pressure and avoid treating discomfort as a test of effectiveness.

Obtain medical assessment before massage for sudden severe pain, marked swelling, a suspected tear, significant bruising, inability to bear weight or unexplained calf symptoms. Seek urgent help for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, fainting or a swollen painful leg.

Ask whether massage is suitable for the suspected problem, which areas should be avoided, and whether physiotherapy or another assessment would better address weakness or movement changes.