If you require an appointment on same day, please give us a call
Sports massage at Willow Massage Centre is focused work for people who train, play and push their bodies. Whether you run along the Comber Greenway, lift at the gym or play rugby, GAA or football for a local club, our therapists work on the muscles that are tight, sore or overworked. We are on Castlereagh Road in East Belfast, with same day appointments often available by phone.
This treatment uses deep stretching techniques to work on problems and imbalances caused by physical activity. Sports massage can be an effective way to ease tension and restore balance in your musculoskeletal system.
If you are a serious athlete, incorporating regular massages into your training plan may support training and recovery, and may even help reduce the risk of some minor injuries.
You do not have to be a professional athlete to benefit from this treatment. It can also support healthy, flexible muscles and joints in those who work out casually.
Training load builds up quietly. Hamstrings tighten after a block of road miles, shoulders ache after heavy gym weeks, and match day knocks can leave calves, quads and backs sore for days. Sports massage helps ease that tension and supports recovery between sessions, so you can keep training comfortably.
We regularly see runners and walkers building mileage, gym goers training for strength, rugby, GAA and football players during the season, and people with a recurring niggle in the back, hips, calves or shoulders.
Many clients book 2 to 3 days before a big event to feel loose going in, and again within a few days afterwards to help recovery. Your therapist will adjust pressure and focus to suit where you are in your training or season.
At Willow, our massage centre in East Belfast, you pay for the time, and we work on what you need. We take a holistic approach and listen, so your therapist will start with a short consultation and, if you tell us more about your training, any injuries or where you hold tension, can tailor the treatment within your booked time. The treatment you book is where we start, not a limit. Prices are shown in our online booking system.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Sports Massage, 45 minutes | £48 |
| Full Body Sports Massage, 60 minutes | £55 |
| Full Body Sports Massage, 90 minutes | £70 |
Massage may help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, but it does not replace medical care or physiotherapy. Please tell your therapist about any injuries or medical conditions before your treatment.
Anyone who enjoys regular physical activity, or is currently recovering from a sporting injury. This type of massage may help improve flexibility and may reduce recovery time.
Be sure to advise your therapist of any pre-existing medical conditions or areas to avoid before they begin your treatment.
Not sure which treatment suits you? Call us on 02890 504695 and we will help you choose.
Three of our therapists offer sports massage. Every treatment starts with a short consultation, so the work is tailored to your training, your injuries and where you hold tension.
Cameron is our newest therapist. He is trained in sports massage, deep tissue massage and relaxation techniques, and particularly enjoys working with athletes and people living with chronic pain. His training in chiropractic care gives him a deeper understanding of anatomy and how a problem in one area of the body can affect movement and comfort elsewhere. Cameron is at Willow on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, and offers sports massage in 45, 60 and 90 minute sessions.
Blaithin joined the Willow team recently and offers sports massage in 45, 60 and 90 minute sessions, alongside deep tissue and relaxation massage.
Janine founded Willow Massage Centre in 2014. She specialises in the Emmett Technique and Recovery, and offers sports massage in 45 and 60 minute sessions.
Prefer a longer session? Our 90 minute full body sports massage is available with Cameron and Blaithin. Choose your therapist when you book online, or call us on 02890 504695 and we will help you choose. You can also read more about the whole team on our About page.
Many people come to us with ongoing aches rather than a sporting injury. Alongside sports massage, our clinical treatments focus on common problem areas, including upper back pain, lower back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches. You can read more about back, neck and shoulder pain massage in Belfast on our dedicated page. Cameron and Blaithin both offer these treatments, and Cameron’s clinical sessions are available from 30 to 90 minutes.
Massage may help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, but it does not replace medical care or physiotherapy. If you are unsure whether massage is right for an injury, call us on 02890 504695 before you book.
If you are not sure sports massage is the right fit, these treatments at our East Belfast massage centre may also suit you: our deep tissue massage for long held tension, a relaxing full body massage to ease the whole body, or hot stone massage for warmth and deep relaxation. You can also meet the therapists who offer them.
Willow Massage Centre is at 90 Castlereagh Road, Belfast BT5 5FR. Our therapists offer sports massage in 45, 60 and 90 minute sessions at £48, £55 and £70. Call 02890 504695 or book online.
Many clients book 2 to 3 days before an event, then again within a few days afterwards. Tell your therapist your date and they will plan the session around it.
Same day appointments are often available. Please call 02890 504695.
Your therapist will talk through your medical history, any current injuries and what you would like to get from the session.
This treatment takes place on a table, so you will need to undress and will be covered with a towel.
Sports massage uses oil, cream or wax to work into deep pressure points, so the experience can be very intense at times.
Your therapist will use a combination of trigger point techniques, cross-fibre friction and myofascial release, alongside joint mobilisations and stretches.
Sports massages combine elements of Swedish massage, Advanced Stretching and Deep Tissue massage techniques to support blood flow to your muscles.
Following your massage, your muscles may feel sore for a day or two, though it may also help to alleviate existing soreness. Take a warm bath, ensure you get adequate rest and drink plenty of water. Never put strain on muscles that are already feeling tender.
We offer a 45 minute sports massage and full body sports massages of 60 or 90 minutes.
You pay for the time you book. A 45 minute sports massage is £48, a 60 minute full body sports massage is £55 and a 90 minute full body sports massage is £70.
Sports massage uses deep pressure and can feel intense at times, especially in tight or sore areas. Tell your therapist if it is too much and they will adjust the pressure. If you want a gentle, relaxing treatment, a Swedish massage may suit you better.
The treatment takes place on a table, so you will need to undress to a level you are comfortable with and you will be covered with a towel.
Yes. We listen and we work on what you need. If you tell us more at your consultation, we can suggest tailoring the treatment to suit you within the time you have booked. The exceptions are hot stone and aromatherapy massage, where we prepare the room in advance, so you receive the treatment you book.
A relaxing massage uses flowing, lighter strokes to help you unwind. A sports massage is more targeted and uses firmer techniques such as trigger point work, stretching and myofascial release to ease tight or overworked muscles. It is often less about switching off and more about helping your body move and recover well.
Neither is better, they simply have different aims. Deep tissue massage uses slower, firmer pressure to work into deeper layers of muscle and long held tension. Sports massage draws on deep tissue work but is more focused on a particular area or activity, with stretching and mobility work added. If you are unsure, your therapist will help you choose when you book or on the day.
Not at all. Many of our clients are runners, gym goers and people playing weekend sport, but sports massage also suits desk workers, drivers and anyone with ongoing tension in the back, neck or shoulders.
Arrive a few minutes early so you can talk through your medical history and any injuries with your therapist. Drink water during the day, bring comfortable clothing for afterwards, and try not to eat a heavy meal just beforehand. If you have just finished a hard training session, it can help to leave a few hours before your appointment.
Thirty minutes can be enough for one area such as the back, which is why we offer our Essential Back Massage. If you want a full body sports massage or help with more than one problem area, a longer session gives your therapist time to work properly. Our sports massage treatments start at 45 minutes.
Please let us know before you book if you have a fever or infection, a recent injury, a blood clot or circulation problem, a skin condition in the area to be treated, or if you are pregnant. Your therapist will check with you on the day and may adapt the treatment or advise you to speak to your GP first.
Book online through our booking system or call 02890 504695 for same day appointments. We are at 90 Castlereagh Road, East Belfast.
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