You Ask, I Answer

Here you’ll find answers to the questions I’m most often asked about sports and remedial massage – my FAQs. At Poise Sports & Remedial Massage, I believe that understanding what’s happening in your body — and what to expect from your massage — helps you feel more confident and relaxed about your care.

Here you’ll find answers to the questions I’m most often asked, from what happens at your Free Taster Session, to how you might feel after your massage.

If there’s something you’d like to know that’s not covered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by using my contact form — I’m always happy to help.

Before you Book

What is a sports and remedial massage?

The terms sports massage and remedial massage can be confusing—especially if you don’t do any sports.

Sports massage works deeply into the soft tissues to restore function after injury, prevent future injury, and maintain good muscle health. “Remedial” simply means the same thing: a hands-on, active approach to improving how your body moves and feels.

Practitioners sometimes use the term Soft Tissue Therapist to distinguish this work from a more spa-style, relaxation-focused massage. Sports and remedial massage therapists are trained to assess and work with soft tissue injuries, helping restore movement and function.

Training levels in this field vary, and they indicate what a therapist is qualified to assess and treat. My qualification is a Level 5 BTEC Professional Diploma in Clinical Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy, which is a higher-level clinical qualification. This means I’m trained to carry out more detailed assessments and provide targeted, effective treatment for a wide range of muscle and soft tissue issues.

So you can feel confident that you’re in experienced hands, with treatment focused on helping you move more freely and feel better in your body.

Once you’ve booked your session, you’ll receive a confirmation by text and email. You’ll then get a link to my online consultation form, where you can share details about your health, injuries, and goals.

Completing this in advance means we can make the most of your 30-minute appointment and tailor it to you right from the start.

The session lasts around 30 minutes.

We begin with a short chat based on your consultation form, so I can understand where you’re feeling pain or tension. I’ll explain how sports and remedial massage works, how I work with you and how I can help with your specific concerns.

After that, you’ll have about 15 minutes of hands-on massage, usually to your back, neck, and shoulders. If your main issue is elsewhere, I’ll adapt the session to focus on that area instead.

At the end, we’ll talk through the massage plans available and which one would best meet your needs.

I work with a wide range of soft tissue injuries and movement problems throughout the body—back, hip, shoulder, neck, knee, and ankle pain are all common.

I look at the body as a whole, because pain in one area can often affect another area.

Some of the conditions clients come to me for help with include:

  • recovery from hip and knee replacements

  • frozen shoulder and shoulder impingement

  • work-related stress and tension

  • fibromyalgia and polymyalgia

  • carpal tunnel syndrome

  • plantar fasciitis

  • restricted movement and joint stiffness

  • arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Through postural assessment and muscle testing, I can identify where dysfunction lies and how best to address it.

I hold a BTEC Professional Diploma in Clinical Sports and Remedial Massage (Level 5), achieved in 2012.

I’ve continued professional development with training in:

  • Kinesiology taping

  • Seated massage

  • Anatomy Trains (level 1 & 2)

  • Oncology massage

  • Emergency First Aid at Work

I’m a member of both the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage (ISRM) and the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).

I started my practice, Poise Sports & Remedial Massage, in January 2012 and have been helping people move more freely ever since.

No special clothing is needed. Massage is generally done in underwear, with towels used to cover all other areas. This is to allow direct contact with the soft tissue.

If you prefer to remain more clothed, I can easily adapt—just let me know in advance. One of the benefits of this type of massage is that it can be carried out in different ways and still be effective.

If you wear a sports bra, choose one that fastens at the back. Loose-fitting shorts are best, so they can be adjusted for comfort.

A bottle of water is a good idea—massage affects your circulation and can leave you feeling a little thirsty. Making sure you stay hydrated after a massage is important.

If you have long hair, you might want to bring your own hair grips or band to keep it out of the way, though I do have some available.

If you’re unwell with a cold, flu, COVID-type symptoms, or have had a vaccine injection please get in touch to reschedule your appointment. Although a vaccine doesn’t mean you are ill, you may have a reaction and it is advisable not to massage the injection site itself as there could be some inflammation. 

Massage can sometimes make people experience some congestion (whilst working on the soft tissue, massage will also increase internal fluid movement).  If you are ill, congestion can feel worse.  If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to have a quick chat to decide what’s best for you. It’s about working out what is best for you.

During your Appointment

What is a postural assessment?

A postural assessment looks at how your muscles, joints, and bones relate to each other. For this reason, it is done whilst wearing underwear.  If this is a problem, do not worry. I can adjust the assessment so that it is more comfortable for you.

I’ll look for patterns such as whether your head sits forward, if one shoulder or hip is higher than the other, or how your spine aligns when standing.

I’ll explain what I see in simple terms so you can understand how your posture affects movement.  You’ll also get practical tips on how to improve your posture in everyday life.

This assessment helps highlight which muscles may need testing or targeted work.

Muscle testing helps identify which muscles are weak, strong, or compensating for others.

You’ll be asked to hold a position while I apply gentle pressure. I’m looking at how the muscle responds — whether it weakens quickly, holds firm, or uses other muscles to assist.

Many clients are surprised at what they discover — it helps connect you more deeply with how your body works.

If you’re currently in pain, I’ll avoid testing until your body is ready — it’s never about proving pain, but about supporting recovery safely.

I use a mix of oils, lotions, and waxes that are gentle on the skin and free from harmful ingredients.

My handmade blends use a grapeseed oil base with essential oils such as lemongrass, rosemary, marjoram, and ginger for easing muscles, or eucalyptus, tea tree, and sage for cleansing. I use Neal’s Yard Remedies essential oils.

I also use massage lotion and massage wax — clients can choose the medium they prefer.

After your Appointment

How will I feel after my session?

Most clients notice an immediate improvement in ease of movement. Sometimes you may feel slightly sore for a day or two — this is completely normal and a sign that your muscles are responding to the work.

If you have any concerns, you’re always welcome to contact me afterwards. I’d rather you let me know so we can ensure your recovery feels comfortable and supported.

Yes. Clients who choose one of my massage plans receive a personalised rehab plan after their sessions. 

I use Rehab My Patient to build individual plans that target the areas of dysfunction.  The goal is to restore movement patterns and aid recovery. Each plan includes clear photos and short videos of the exercises, with step-by-step guidance and frequency recommendations.

If any exercise feels difficult or uncomfortable, I’ll adapt it to suit your needs — the goal is always realistic, gentle progress that fits your lifestyle.