Sports Massage in Kirriemuir, Angus
Specialist sports massage and soft tissue therapy for athletes, active individuals, and anyone carrying muscle tension or injury.
01575 520488
What Sports Massage Involves
Sports massage is a specialist form of massage therapy that targets the deeper soft tissues (including muscles, fascia, tendons, and connective tissue) to address sports-related tension, improve circulation, and support injury recovery and rehabilitation. Unlike a general relaxation massage, sports massage uses a range of purposeful techniques: effleurage (long stroking movements), petrissage (kneading), myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and muscle energy techniques; each applied with an emphasis on achieving specific therapeutic outcomes.
At Sona Chiropractic, our sports massage therapists bring expert knowledge of anatomy, muscle fibres, and movement to every session. The focus is always on what your body needs, whether that's preparing muscles for training, optimising recovery post-event, or addressing chronic tightness that's limiting your range of motion and athletic performance.
Sports massage improves blood flow, delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to tired muscles whilst supporting the removal of waste products from the tissues.
Our sports massage sessions address muscle tension, supporting recovery from physical strain, improving circulation, and enhancing mobility — key goals for any client seeking to stay active and pain-free.
Sports massage has been used for over 3,000 years across various cultures and became widely recognised in the UK during the 1990s. A 2020 study found sports massage reduces muscle soreness and aids short-term recovery, supporting its use as an evidence-based therapy within sports rehabilitation and remedial and sports massage practice.
Who It's For
Sports massage isn't just for elite athletes, it benefits anyone who uses their body physically and wants to stay performing well. Our clients include:
• Amateur and professional athletes across all sports
• Runners, cyclists, swimmers, and gym-goers managing training loads
• Those recovering from sports injuries or musculoskeletal injuries
• People with desk-based jobs experiencing neck pain, back pain, or postural tension
• Individuals returning to activity after injury or a period of inactivity
• Anyone with chronic muscle tension or joint injuries that limit movement
Whether you're training for a class event, managing recurring injury, or unable to shift tension in your neck and shoulders, regular sessions of sports massage (within a broader sports therapy or sports rehabilitation plan) can make a meaningful difference to your mobility, comfort, and performance.
Sports Massage vs. Other Treatments
Sports massage targets deeper tissues and specific muscle groups with purposeful, movement-oriented techniques, distinct from Swedish massage, which uses lighter strokes for general relaxation. Deep tissue massage overlaps in depth but is more focused on chronic adhesions than performance or recovery.
Cupping therapy is often used alongside sports massage to improve blood circulation and promote faster tissue healing. Pregnancy massage is a separate, adapted modality unsuitable as a direct comparison.
We also offer orthopaedic rehabilitation support and can work in coordination with chartered physiotherapists and your wider healthcare team. Your therapist will advise on whether sports massage, deep tissue massage, or another combination of complementary therapies is right for your specific goals.
Meet Your Sports Massage Therapist
Maya Irvine
Sports Massage Therapist
Hello, I’m Maya, a Level 4 Sports Massage Practitioner based at Sona Chiropractic in Kirriemuir, Angus. I’m currently completing my final year of a BSc (Hons) Sport Science degree, which has strengthened my understanding of how the body moves, adapts, and recovers.
I provide sports massage in Kirriemuir, using evidence-based techniques including traditional sports massage and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) to support recovery, improve mobility, and reduce muscular tension.
As an active football player, my interest in injury prevention and rehabilitation grew from personal experience — and I’m passionate about helping others return to sport and daily life with confidence.
Book Your Appointment
Book your sports massage appointment at Sona Chiropractic, 23 Reform Street, Kirriemuir. Call 07346 809923, email contact@sonachiropractic.com, or book online booking page. Clients should rest for 24–48 hours post-sports massage and drink plenty of water to support recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A general massage (such as Swedish massage) focuses on overall relaxation and stress relief using lighter strokes across the whole body. Sports massage is more targeted, applying deeper pressure with techniques tailored to sports therapy and injury prevention — it's a purposeful, anatomy-led treatment focused on specific muscle groups, soft tissue repair, and optimising recovery.
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Yes. Sports massage reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), improves recovery time post-workout, and can prevent injury by identifying and treating early muscle tightness before it becomes a problem. Regular sessions are particularly valuable during heavy training blocks or injury rehabilitation. Post-event sports massage is most effective when performed within two hours of activity.
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Sports massage can involve firm pressure on tight or tender areas, which may feel intense but should never be unbearable. Always communicate with your therapist about pressure levels. Some mild soreness for 24–48 hours after treatment is normal and a sign that the tissues are responding.
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Absolutely. Sports massage benefits anyone dealing with muscle tension, postural strain, physical stress, or the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Many of our clients are desk workers, parents, or people in physically demanding occupations who aren't "athletes" but benefit hugely from sports therapy.
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A 30-minute session is effective for targeting a specific problem area. If this is your first time attending a sports massage at Sona, we usually recommend a 60 minute session so we have the time to fully assess your issues before beginning treatment. For full-body treatment, comprehensive sports rehabilitation work, or addressing multiple areas of concern, 60 minutes is recommended. Regular sessions of 30–60 minutes are more effective than infrequent longer sessions for maintaining muscle health.