Sports massage is a form of deep tissue therapy that focuses on treating and preventing musculoskeletal issues caused by exercise, posture, or daily stress. It combines techniques such as kneading, trigger point therapy, stretching, and muscle stripping to target specific problem areas.

At The Fitness Charter, we tailor each session to your needs—whether that’s easing muscle soreness, aiding injury recovery, or improving performance. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment—it’s personalised care for your body.

Every session is tailored to you—your body, your goals, and how you're feeling on the day.

Consultation:

We’ll start with a short consultation where I’ll ask a few questions about your general health, any injuries or areas of discomfort, and what you’d like to get out of the session (e.g., pain relief, improved mobility, or simply to feel looser after training or work). If needed, I may assess your posture or range of movement to get a clearer picture of what’s going on.

Sports Massage:

The massage itself will focus on the areas we’ve discussed, using a combination of techniques such as deep tissue work, trigger point release, stretching, or more gentle techniques if your body is already under stress. I’ll always check in about pressure and comfort, and you’re encouraged to speak up at any point.

Aftercare:

After the treatment, we’ll take a few minutes to talk through how your body responded, and I’ll offer some practical advice—this might include stretches, movement tips, or suggestions to support your recovery and progress between sessions.

Think of it as a partnership—we work together to support your body in the way it needs, whether you're an athlete, active person, or dealing with everyday aches and tension.

While sports massage is often associated with athletes, it’s beneficial for anyone experiencing muscle tension, discomfort, or fatigue—including office workers, gym-goers, manual labourers, and those managing stress.

Whether you're training for a marathon or dealing with a tight neck from sitting at a desk, our treatments can help relieve tension, improve flexibility, and promote long-term physical wellness.

We offer flexible session lengths to suit your needs and goals:

1. 45 minutes: Great for targeting a specific area

1. 60 minutes: A detailed session covering multiple areas, such as the upper-body or lower-body, or focused work on a particular region

1. 90 minutes: Extended session for a full upper-body or lower-body treatment, or a comprehensive full-body massage. This allows extra time for deeper work and use of various techniques

1. 120 minutes: Our most intensive option, ideal for clients wanting a complete, full-body experience with maximum attention to detail

Each session begins with a consultation to understand your needs, followed by personalised hands-on treatment and tailored aftercare advice to help you get the best results.

The Fitness Charter is run by Andrew, a qualified male sports massage therapist. At this time, it is not possible to be treated by a female massage therapist with us.

We understand that for many people, especially if it’s your first time, the idea of what to wear for a sports massage can feel a little uncertain. At The Fitness Charter, we are committed to making you feel completely safe, respected, and comfortable throughout your experience.

General Guidance:

You’ll only need to remove clothing from the area being treated, and you’ll be appropriately covered with towels at all times. Your privacy and dignity are a top priority, and your comfort is just as important as the treatment itself.

For Men:

1. Upper body treatment: You may be asked to remove your top, or wear a vest or sports top if that feels more comfortable. If removing clothing, you will remain covered by towels with only the area being worked on exposed.
2. Lower body treatment: Loose-fitting sports shorts are ideal. These allow access to the muscles being treated while keeping you fully covered and comfortable.

For Women:

1. Upper body treatment (e.g. back, shoulders, arms): You may choose to wear a sports bra, crop top, or remove your top. If removing clothing, you will remain covered by towels with only the area being worked on exposed.
2. Lower body treatment (e.g. legs, hips, calves): We recommend wearing loose-fitting sports shorts. These allow us to work effectively while ensuring your comfort and modesty is maintained at all times.

Full body treatment:

For longer sessions such as a 90 or 120-minute massage, where both upper and lower body may be treated, we’ll clearly explain what to expect beforehand. You’ll always have the option to ask questions, and we’ll only treat areas you’re comfortable having worked on.

In short:

We do not offer massage within the first 72 hours after an injury.

You can book a sports massage once 72 hours have passed, provided swelling and severe pain have started to settle.

⛔ Before 72 Hours (Acute Phase)

If your injury is new—within the first 72 hours—your body is in its early healing stage. There may be swelling, inflammation, and tissue damage.

Massage is not suitable at this time, as it can interfere with healing and potentially make things worse.

➡️ Focus on rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and follow any advice from your GP, physio or medical provider.

✅ After 72 Hours (Sub-Acute Phase and Beyond)

Once the initial 72 hours have passed, and swelling and pain are under control, sports massage can be a safe and effective way to support your recovery.

At this stage, we can:

1. Use gentle techniques to promote circulation and reduce stiffness
2. Help ease tension in muscles compensating for the injury
3. Support healing and improve your overall movement

As you move into the chronic phase (21+ days), deeper sports massage techniques can be used to help reduce scar tissue, restore mobility, and prevent future issues.

Appointment Cancellation Policy – Sports Massage

To ensure fair and efficient scheduling for all clients, we kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your sports massage appointment.

Deposits & Cancellations:

1. A deposit is required to secure your booking.
2. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will result in the deposit being non-refundable.
3. The deposit not only secures your appointment but also helps cover our travel and business expenses related to preparing for your session.
4. This policy also allows us to offer the time slot to other clients who may be waiting.

We understand that unexpected situations can arise. If you are unable to make your appointment due to an emergency, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options. Thank you for your understanding and support

The frequency depends on your lifestyle, goals, and current physical condition:

1. For general fitness and wellbeing, having a sports massage every 3–4 weeks helps maintain muscle health, improve flexibility and mobility, and prevent stiffness before it develops into pain or injury.

1. If you’re training regularly or working on improving mobility, weekly or bi-weekly sessions can support recovery, reduce muscle tightness, and enhance your range of motion.

1. For injury recovery or intensive training phases, more frequent treatments may be necessary to aid healing and maintain optimal performance.

At The Fitness Charter, we work with you to develop a personalised plan that fits your body’s needs and your schedule, helping you stay active, flexible, and performing at your best.

In many cases, sports massage can be safe and beneficial even if you have a medical condition. However, because everyone’s health situation is unique, it’s very important that you inform us about any existing conditions—such as heart issues, high blood pressure, recent surgeries, or chronic illnesses—before your session.

Depending on your condition, we may need to modify the treatment or, in some cases, refer you to your GP or healthcare provider before proceeding. For some conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis or infectious skin diseases, sports massage is contraindicated (must be avoided). Your safety is our top priority, and we will always take a cautious approach to ensure the best care for you.

If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian must be present for the entire session. This ensures your safety, comfort, and that someone is there to support you if you have any questions or concerns.

Sessions for younger clients can be adapted to suit your needs, focusing on gentle techniques and guidance to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Myofascial dry cupping is a gentle therapy that uses small cups placed on the skin to create a light suction. This suction helps to encourage blood flow, ease tension in the muscles and fascia (the connective tissue around them), and bring a sense of release. Many people describe it as feeling like their muscles are “unwinding”. It can be a supportive tool for easing everyday tightness, helping recovery, and simply giving your body some much-needed care.

Cupping can be helpful for a wide range of people — not just athletes. Essentially, if you experience tension, stiffness, or a feeling of “tightness” in your body, cupping may be beneficial. Some common examples include:

1. Desk workers or people who sit for long periods: Cupping can help release tension in the shoulders, neck, and upper back caused by prolonged sitting or poor posture.
2. Active people and athletes: It can support recovery by easing tight muscles, improving circulation, and helping the body feel lighter and more mobile.
3. People with everyday stress or tension: Cupping can bring a sense of relaxation and release in areas that often hold stress, like the back, shoulders, and jaw.
4. Those with specific aches or conditions: While cupping isn’t a cure, many people find it helpful for supporting:
5. Muscle tightness, stiffness, or spasm
6. Back, neck, and shoulder discomfort
7. Tension headaches
8. Reduced range of motion in joints
9. Areas of scar tissue or adhesions from old injuries

Cupping works best as a supportive therapy alongside your lifestyle, exercise, or other treatments. The goal is to help your muscles and connective tissues feel freer, encourage better circulation, and give your body a sense of relief and balance.

Most people find myofascial cupping comfortable and relaxing, but sensations can vary depending on the area being treated and the amount of tension in your muscles. You may feel a gentle pulling or suction as the cups lift the tissues, which many describe as soothing rather than painful.

Some areas may feel slightly tender or sensitive, especially if the muscles are tight or congested. This tenderness is a normal response as the tissue releases and starts to relax.

If cupping is combined with gentle stretching, mobilisations, or movement techniques, you might feel a bit more discomfort in the moment. This is usually temporary and part of the process of helping muscles and fascia loosen, improving range of motion and easing tension.

We always monitor your comfort during the session and can adjust the pressure, duration, or technique if anything feels uncomfortable. The goal is to support your body safely while giving you a sense of release and relief.

It’s quite common for cupping to leave marks on the skin where the cups were placed. These marks are not bruises in the usual sense — they’re a natural response to increased blood flow in the area and the gentle suction lifting the tissues.

The marks can vary in appearance:

1. Colour: They can range from light pink or red to darker purple, depending on how much stagnation or tension there was in the tissue.
2. Shape: Usually circular, matching the shape of the cups used.
3. Size: Small or larger cups can leave different-sized marks.

The duration of the marks also varies from person to person. For some, they fade within a few days, while for others, especially if the tissue was very tight or congested, marks can last up to one or two weeks. Over time, they naturally lighten and disappear as circulation and healing continue.

Many people find these marks a visible sign that their body has responded to the therapy — a kind of “evidence of release.” They don’t usually hurt, though the area may feel a little tender for a day or two, similar to how muscles can feel after a good stretch or gentle workout.

Drinking plenty of water, gentle movement, and rest can help your body recover more comfortably after a session.

No — it’s important to know that cupping isn’t a cure or a substitute for medical treatment. Instead, think of it as a supportive therapy that works alongside your lifestyle and self-care. It can help reduce feelings of tightness, encourage circulation, and give you a greater sense of wellbeing, but if you’re experiencing pain or have concerns about an injury, it’s always best to speak with your GP or another healthcare professional.

Absolutely. In fact, many people find that combining cupping with sports massage gives them the best of both worlds. While massage works with movement and pressure to release tight muscles, cupping adds another layer by gently lifting the tissues, encouraging blood flow, and creating space in areas that feel restricted. To maximise results, all of our dry cupping sessions include some gentle massage, targeted joint mobilizations, and MET (muscle energy technique) stretching where beneficial, creating a well-rounded approach that addresses both muscle tension and movement restrictions.

While cupping is generally safe for most people, there are certain situations where it may not be the best option. This is because cupping works by gently lifting the tissues and increasing circulation, which could potentially aggravate some conditions or areas of the body.

Cupping might not be suitable if you:

1. Have certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, open wounds, rashes, or infections. The suction could irritate sensitive skin or worsen existing issues.
2. Are pregnant, particularly on the abdomen or lower back, unless cleared by a medical professional. Cupping in these areas can increase circulation and may not be recommended.
3. Take blood-thinning medication or have clotting disorders. Cupping can sometimes cause minor bleeding under the skin, so extra caution is needed.
4. Have fragile or sensitive skin (for example, very thin skin, sunburn, or recent laser treatments), as it may be prone to bruising or irritation.
5. Have acute injuries or severe inflammation such as fresh fractures, sprains, or infections. Cupping in these areas could worsen pain or interfere with healing.
6. Have certain medical conditions such as severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or other conditions where increased circulation could pose a risk.

This list isn’t exhaustive, which is why I always carry out a consultation before your first session. During this conversation, we go through your health background, current medications, and any injuries or conditions to make sure cupping is safe and suitable for you. If cupping isn’t right for your situation, I’ll suggest alternative ways to support your body safely and effectively.

The goal is always your comfort and safety — so you can enjoy the benefits of cupping without worry.