Frequently Asked Questions

• Alleviates muscle soreness

• Improves recovery from strenuous exercise

• Relieves muscular strains and inflammation

• Relieves tendonitis

• Increases flexibility and mobility

• Improves movement efficiency

• Reduces pain/discomfort caused by neural impingements

• Reduces stress and increases relaxation

• Improves circulation, energy and alertness

• Lowers heart rate and blood pressure

• Increases lymphatic flow/drainage consequently improving immune function

What should I expect from my first session?

All Pinnacle Sports Massage treatments begin with an initial consultation. This comprises of a brief health and physical activity check, followed by both a subjective and then objective assessment. During the objective assessment you may be required to perform a few functional movements (squatting, hinging, pressing), flexibility tests and/or strength tests. At this point we will also conduct a quick postural assessment. The results of these assessments will allow us to design an effective treatment plan for you which will be explained to you before the treatment in order to establish your informed consent. If consent is given, the physical treatment will begin, usually lasting anywhere from 30/40 minutes. After the treatment we may reassess some of the tests conducted during the initial assessments (to see whether we have made any progress) and you will also be given some aftercare advice comprising of some rehab stretches, mobilisations, or exercises.

How should I prepare for my first session?

There's no real preparation necessary, we just ask that you wear comfortable loose fitting clothing, a T-shirt and shorts ideally. We ask that our female clients refrain from wearing a sports bra and instead opt for a normal bra, as this makes it easier and more efficient for your sports therapist to access the back and shoulders during the treatment.

Will my treatment be painful?

Sports massage can feel quite intense when relieving areas of severe tension or tacking tricky knots/adhesions. However, it should never be painful. Your therapist will always begin with the lightest amount of pressure and build the intensity up gradually, always asking if the pressure feels okay and giving you plenty chances to indicate if it has become too much. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Having said that, some discomfort is to be expected and is often necessary in order to treat particular conditions, however, we always aim to work below a 7/10 on YOUR pain scale. Although the treatment may be uncomfortable at certain points, and you may even feel a bit sore the next day, you should soon be feeling lighter, more mobile, and like you're getting back to your pinnacle!

Are there any risks or negative side-effects associated with massage?

Most people will benefit from massage, however, massage may not be appropriate if you have:

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• Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication

• Burns or healing wounds

• Deep vein thrombosis

• Infections

• Broken bones (fractures)

• Severe osteoporosis

• A very low platelet count (severe thrombocytopenia)

During the subjective assessment your sports therapist will check with you to make sure that you are not suffering from any conditions which may mean that massage would be counterintuitive.

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In terms of side effects, you may experience a headache, inflammation, grogginess, tiredness or fatigue, or even slight nausea following a massage treatment. Don't worry, these are all common occurrences and can all be attributed to the increased lymph flow caused by massage. This can result in more waste products, toxins and pathogens entering the bloodstream, thus causing the aforementioned side effects. In most cases, sufficient hydration will attenuate these side effects and your therapist will advise you to make sure you drink plenty water following your treatment.