Sports Massage in London
Sports massage is a targeted, clinically informed treatment for athletes, active individuals and anyone carrying persistent muscle tension, soft tissue strain or movement-related pain. Unlike general relaxation massage, sports massage works with a precise understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy — applying specific techniques to address the underlying cause of tightness, restriction or injury rather than providing temporary relief.
At our Central London (Old Street), Beckenham and Orpington clinics, sports massage is delivered by David Canevaro BSc (Hons) — a GOsC-registered osteopath with over 25 years of clinical experience. Every session begins with a structured assessment, ensuring your treatment is precisely targeted to your body’s needs.
TRUST BADGES:
✓ GOsC Registered Osteopath — not just a massage therapist
✓ 25+ Years Clinical Experience
✓ 350+ Five-Star Google Reviews
✓ Trusted by Elite Athletes & Wimbledon Players
✓ 3 Clinics — London & Kent.
What Is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a form of therapeutic soft tissue treatment that uses a combination of manual techniques to assess, treat and rehabilitate the muscles, tendons, fascia and connective tissue. It is used both to manage existing injuries and as a preventative measure to maintain peak physical condition.
Techniques Used in Your Session
Deep tissue massage — sustained pressure applied to deeper layers of muscle to release chronic tension, adhesions and scar tissue that restrict movement and cause referred pain.
Trigger point therapy — focused pressure on specific hypersensitive muscle points that produce localised or referred pain, releasing the point and restoring normal muscle function.
Myofascial release — gentle, sustained stretching of the fascial network surrounding muscles to improve tissue mobility and reduce widespread tension and restriction.
Soft tissue release (STR) — a combination of applied pressure and active or passive stretching to lengthen shortened muscle fibres and improve functional range of motion.
Assisted stretching and joint mobilisation — passive stretching and gentle joint movement to restore flexibility and reduce stiffness — particularly effective post-competition or during high-volume training periods.
All techniques are selected and adapted based on your clinical assessment findings — not applied as a standard routine.
Who Is Sports Massage For?
Sports massage is not limited to professional athletes. David regularly treats:
Elite and competitive athletes — including runners, cyclists, swimmers, tennis players and team sport athletes requiring precise soft tissue management to maintain performance and manage training load.
Weekend warriors and recreational sports participants — gym-goers, park runners, yoga practitioners and active individuals whose training creates cumulative soft tissue fatigue.
Performing artists — West End performers, dancers and musicians whose physical demands mirror those of competitive athletes, with high repetitive loading and limited recovery time.
Desk workers and professionals — individuals whose predominantly sedentary working posture creates chronic postural muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, upper back and lower back.
Post-injury rehabilitation patients — those recovering from sports injuries, surgery or accidents, where sports massage supports tissue healing, reduces scar tissue formation and restores functional movement.
Pre-event and post-event athletes — preparing the neuromuscular system for competition or accelerating recovery in the 24–72 hours following a race or event.
The Clinical Difference — Sports Massage by an Osteopath
Most sports massage therapists are trained specifically in massage techniques. David’s approach is fundamentally different — he brings 25 years of osteopathic clinical expertise to every session.
This means your sports massage is preceded by a proper clinical assessment — evaluating your posture, movement patterns, muscle activation and the relationship between your soft tissue problems and the wider musculoskeletal system. Treatment is then applied with this complete picture in mind.
For example, a patient presenting with persistent hamstring tightness may have an underlying lower back or pelvic dysfunction driving the problem. A standard massage will temporarily relieve the hamstring — but the tension will return. David’s osteopathic assessment identifies and addresses the root cause, producing more durable results.
Where clinically indicated, sports massage is combined with osteopathic manual therapy, medical acupuncture or a clinical Pilates rehabilitation programme — as part of the integrated Osteolates® Method.
Conditions Commonly Treated with Sports Massage
David uses sports massage as part of treatment plans for a wide range of conditions, including:
Muscle strains and tears — hamstring, quadriceps, calf, shoulder and back
Tendinopathies — Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendinopathy
Lower back pain — muscular, postural and disc-related
Neck and upper back tension — cervical muscle tightness, thoracic stiffness
Shoulder pain — rotator cuff tightness, impingement and frozen shoulder
IT band syndrome and runner’s knee — common in distance runners and cyclists
Plantar fasciitis — heel and foot pain from repetitive loading
Postural overload — pain from sustained asymmetric loading at work or in sport
View all conditions we treat →
What to Expect at Your Sports Massage Appointment
Step-by-Step Appointment Guide
1. Initial assessment
Every first appointment begins with a structured case history — David asks about your training background, current symptoms, injury history, and what you want to achieve from treatment. This is followed by a physical assessment of your posture, movement and the relevant soft tissue structures.
2. Treatment
Treatment is delivered on a clinical couch. David will ask about your comfort throughout and adjust pressure and technique based on your feedback. Sessions typically last 60 minutes. Combination appointments including osteopathic treatment may run to 75–90 minutes.
3. Aftercare and rehabilitation advice
Every session ends with specific guidance — stretches, loading advice, rest recommendations or a referral to clinical Pilates if a structured rehabilitation programme would support your recovery.
What to wear: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing or sports kit. David will advise on any undressing required for treatment.
Sports Massage Clinic Locations in London
Central London — Old Street
325–327 Old Street, Hoxton, London EC1V 9LE
Near Old Street, Shoreditch & Liverpool Street stations
Tel: 020 7127 8771
Beckenham
22 Oakfield Gardens, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3AZ
2 mins from Eden Park station | On-site parking
Tel: 020 3633 6132
Orpington / Petts Wood
1a West Way, Petts Wood, Orpington BR5 1LN
2 mins from Petts Wood station (Zone 5)
Treatment Fees
SessionDurationFeeSports Massage60 minFrom £75Combined Osteopathy + Sports Massage75–90 minFrom £99
View full fee schedule →
David is recognised by AXA Health, BUPA, Aviva and Vitality. Please check your policy covers sports massage before booking. No GP referral needed.
Frequently Asked Questions — Sports Massage
Drink plenty of water in the hours following your session. Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours if significant deep tissue work was carried out. Mild soreness in treated areas is normal for 24–48 hours — this is your body’s inflammatory response to tissue stimulation and will resolve quickly. David will give you specific aftercare guidance at your appointment.
Book a Sports Massage in London
Whether you are preparing for a race, managing a training injury, or dealing with persistent muscle tension that is affecting your movement and performance, David is ready to help. Same-day appointments are available at our Central London, Beckenham and Orpington clinics.
Book an Appointment Online → book an appointment
No GP referral needed · GOsC registered · AXA, BUPA & Aviva recognised