Sports massage

Matt Barker

Hi, my name is Matt Barker and I provide Sports and Remedial Massage to those who need it at goPhysio in Chandlers Ford.

I am in my early 30s and am an ex-Fire Fighter, Gardener and Tree Surgeon who also likes to dabble with Marathon and Ultra-Distance Running , Mountain Biking, Diving, Tennis, Football, and Ju Jitsu.....SO I KNOW what aching muscles feel like!

As a result of various injuries and postural problems I’ve picked up from all these physical activities I discovered Sports Massage Therapy as a technique that both prevented injury and speeded up recovery to allow me to train harder. It also helps correct the muscular imbalances that lead to postural problems.

I developed such an passion for anatomy and physiology and fixing my own muscular problems that I decided to train with the London School of Sports Massage for a Level 5 Diploma, one of the best in the country configured by the ISRM.

This has been taught by some of the South’s top Physiotherapists and Olympic Team Sports Massage Therapists. It incorporates elements of Sports Psychology and Sports Nutrition as well as teaching advanced stretching , injury rehabilitation and remedial massage geared to long term improvement of posture and injury prevention.

I have successfully treated ex-international marathon runners, ultra runners, tri-athletes, swimmers, horse riders, golfers, footballers, office workers, chefs, builders and emergency service personnel and treat some of the Winchester District Athletics team.

In joining Go Physio in Chandlers Ford I will compliment and work with their established Physiotherapists to widen the range of services they provide and assist in treating not only sports people but to all those who suffer from aches and pains brought on by normal everyday activities.

Although the title suggests a focus on sports people, you do not need to be sporty to reap the benefits from a sports massage. The majority of Matt's clients are not what you would commonly perceive as ‘sports people’ and in fact anyone suffering from a condition causing muscle stiffness that limits their range of movement will benefit greatly from this treatment. This muscle stiffness can come about from your normal daily routines.

A sports massage is a deep tissue manipulation, which helps to realign soft tissue fibres and is often complimentary to existing physiotherapy treatment. Soft tissues include the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia, all of which are connected to bones and joints in some way.

Many of Matt's clients have a regular massage which is important to ensure the muscles and connective tissues are kept supple and tension free. This combined with regular stretches and exercises, can aid the body to return to its normal function making everyday activities more manageable and maximising your bodies potential.

It is important to make you aware that sports massage is not normally a relaxing treatment. Be assured the positive results may last for many weeks and often months following an initial course of treatment making this type of massage worthwhile.

Sports massage is available at our Chandlers Ford clinic.