Sports, Aromatherapy or Hot Stone Massage? Choosing the Right Treatment

Massage is not one treatment but several, and the right one depends on what you want from it. Someone training for a half marathon needs something very different from someone who simply wants to switch off after a long week. Here is how three of the most popular options compare.

Sports massage: for training and recovery

Sports massage is built around the muscles your sport works hardest, such as the calves, hamstrings and quads for runners or the shoulders and back for swimmers and racket players. It usually takes one of three forms:

• Pre-event: a shorter, brisker massage in the days before a race or match, without very deep work
• Recovery: a slower massage after a hard event or training block, ideally a day or two later
• Maintenance: regular sessions every two to four weeks to keep on top of tightness before it becomes a niggle

An experienced therapist offering sports massage in Coventry or elsewhere will ask about your training and any upcoming events before deciding how firm to go.

Aromatherapy massage: for stress and sleep

An aromatherapy massage uses slow, rhythmic strokes at a medium pressure, with essential oils diluted in a carrier oil. The oils are chosen to suit how you feel: lavender or chamomile to wind down, or eucalyptus or peppermint for something more refreshing. Many people book a holistic aromatherapy massage to ease stress, and find they sleep better afterwards. If you have sensitive skin, allergies or scents you dislike, say so before you start.

Hot stone massage: warmth for tight muscles

Smooth basalt stones are heated and placed on key points such as the back, legs and shoulders, then used to massage the muscles. The warmth helps tight muscles soften, which makes it a good choice for stiffness and tension, and it can be combined with firmer hands-on work on stubborn areas. The stones should always feel comfortably warm, never hot. A hot stone massage is not suitable for everyone, so tell your therapist if you are pregnant or have a heart or skin condition.

Which one should you book?

• You run, cycle, lift or play a team sport: sports massage
• You feel stressed, tired or are struggling to sleep: aromatherapy massage
• You have stiff, tight muscles and want to relax at the same time: hot stones
• You want everything worked on: a longer full body session, often around 90 minutes

A good therapist will always help you choose and adjust the session to how your body feels on the day. For more on looking after your health and wellbeing, see our health and wellbeing category.