Testimonials
Preparing for a marathon is a tough undertaking, especially for an ‘enthusiastic’ rather than talented runner! Regularly running 30 to 50 miles per week will mean that you suffer plenty of aches and pains. In my case I had a persistent Achilles problem and a troublesome ITB which threatened my participation in last years Flora London Marathon.
Vicki cured both problems by identifying the root causes and working with me to strengthen my core and reduce muscle imbalance. I now see Vicki regularly and she is a vital part of my training and race preparation. As an experienced athlete herself, Vicki understands what motivates sports men and women and a session with Vicki is both fun & stimulating. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Simon Bottomley - Amateur Marathon Runner
Frequently asked questions
Please refer to the specific Therapy pages to find out more about your specific treatment
What to wear
During the massage you will be asked to remove only the necessary items of clothing appropriate for the area being worked on. Underwear will remain worn at all times. For work on the legs if you prefer you may bring a pair of loose fitting comfortable shorts. Towels will be used to cover any parts of the body that are not being worked on
What happens during a treatment?
For all treatments you will discuss with your therapist what you want from your sessions i.e. relaxation, rehab etc. If appropriate, a detailed history will be taken and we will discuss your current lifestyle to help set realistic targets by which you can see your improvement.
Contraindications
If you have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions please contact us. It may be necessary to acquire GP for consent before attending your first session with HeadStart Massage:
Diabetic, High/Low blood pressure (on medication), Fever or illness, Abdominal pain, Vomiting/Diarrhoea, infectious skin condition, varicose veins or DVT, recent surgery, cancer, acute injury within 48 hours
After effects
After your massage it is important to drink water. Due to the effects on circulation caused by massage you may feel tired or dehydrated unless you drink sufficient fluids. Post- massage is a good time to take any supplements, recovery drinks or eat a well-balanced meal. Massage warms the soft tissues of the body therefore making them more permeable and allowing you to take up more nutrients from your food.
You may find that you encounter some stiffness or tenderness in your muscles for the few days following a massage. This is not uncommon and is in indication that the massage has had effect. It can be likened to the stiffness you encounter following exercise if you are not accustomed to it. If you experience any severe increases in pain or new symptoms that were not discussed with your therapist then seek appropriate medical advice.
Disabled Access
At HeadStart Massage we work with a range of clients and look to encourage access for all individuals wishing to benefit from our services. We are able to offer good disabled access at two of our centres, Hills Road Tennis Centre and Spinal Physiotherapy Clinic. If you have any special requirements then please feel free to contact us to see if we can accommodate you.
How many sessions will I need
Ideally Sports Massage should be used for injury prevention and general maintenance. This means that having a treatment weekly or once every few weeks is often more helpful than only having massage once an injury has occurred or long period of time has passed. If that isn’t suitable for you because of the hands on approach of sports and remedial massage even after just one session people often find a big improvement in how they feel.
Will my Health Insurance cover the cost of treatment?
Currently Sports Massage treatments will not be covered by your insurance company. The Sports Massage Association have applied to the Health Professionals Council and are currently awaiting the outcome of their application. If they are successful it will mean members trained to the appropriate standard and on the National Register of Sports Massage Practitioners will be eligible to provide treatments covered by medical insurance.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your appointment with HeadStart Massage we require 24hrs notice to allow other clients the opportunity of booking the slot. If you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment time 1005 of the fee will be charged or £20 (whichever is lowest) and must be paid before your next appointment commences.
Bookings and enquiries can be made via:
