1. You can wear your normal clothes
If you have a specific problem we will want to do a bit of a movement assessment on you. We will need to see your joints move so bring shorts and a vest just in case. If you have a leg/knee/ankle problem definitely bring your shorts.
2. Be Clean
If you have been to the gym, been for a run/played sport or have been at a mucky workplace have shower before you arrive. We can’t massage you if you are sweaty. It’s not just that we don’t want to massage your sweat into you… Your pores are open and you are prone to a skin infection if we massage oil over sweat and open pores.
3. Arrive 5 – 10 mins early and bring your glasses!
Come straight into the clinic and have a seat in the reception area. We will come down and bring you a health form to fill out.
4. Tell us in your words what the problem is
We need to know what your problem is in your words so that we can understand it. We don’t need to use technical words or muscle names – and we won’t use them to you because we want you to understand your body. Point to the area that hurts, show us or describe to us what movements hurt.
5. Tell us things you think are irrelevant
Another ache or pain that has developed at the same time, a recent fall, a traumatic accident or injury, even if not recent. They can all play a part in current problems, it gives us a trail to follow and the more we know the easier it is to find the route of the problem and remedy it.
6. Ask Questions
If you want to know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, ask! We LOVE our jobs and love talking about what we find, why it might be causing a problem for you and what we’re going to do about it.
7. Don’t be shy – but if you feel uncomfortable please tell us.
We see all types of body and different parts of it. We always try and maintain your dignity during treatment and normally will only have the body part we are working on uncovered. There are some exceptions to this. We are not judging the way you look, we are only looking at how you move and why this is causing you a problem.
8. It shouldn’t hurt, tell us if it does!
Despite what people think sports massage shouldn’t hurt. There maybe some discomfort when we are working on tender areas but you can tell us to stop or ease off and we will. We probably will have noticed that you’re screwing your hands up or wriggling in discomfort – but if you’re a good actor, tell us if you want us to stop.
9. Tell us what you enjoyed
Massage should be enjoyable and the best results come when you are relaxed. Some techniques feel great, especially the stretching ones, tell us and we’ll help you relax more.
10. If you don’t think you’ll remember your exercises tell us
We don’t just give out exercises willy nilly! They are normally because we know that strength of a muscle is the issue and that will take your pain away. We write your exercises on our notes so that we remember what we’ve given you. The best thing to do is take a picture of it and save it on your phone. OR we can video you doing your exercises so you have a record.
11. Don’t plan on exercising after.
A massage or Sports Injury Treatment is most effective after a workout. Going to the gym or for a run will only undo all of our hard work! Going to a yoga or Pilates class would be ideal because you’re joints will be able to move easier and you’ll get the most out of the exercises and poses.