Sports Massage for Lower Back & Glute Pain
Lower back pain doesn't always start in the lower back. One of the most common things I see is pain that sits deep in one buttock, spreads into the hip, or feels like it's coming from the top of the hamstring. Sometimes it appears after running. Sometimes after lifting weights. Sometimes after a long day sitting at a desk.
The first job is to work out what movement reproduces the pain.
What causes lower back and glute pain?
One of the most common things I hear is "It isn't actually my back that hurts; it's right in the middle of my right buttock!" Often, there isn't one single cause of that. It may be related to tight or overloaded glute muscles, irritation around the sacroiliac joint, the piriformis muscle, the lower lumbar muscles, or compensation from somewhere else in the body.
Pain can also refer into the buttock from the lower back without the back itself feeling particularly sore.
That's why every first appointment begins with an assessment before any treatment starts.
What happens during a sports massage treatment?
We'll talk through when the pain started, what activities make it worse, and what you've already tried.
I'll assess movement, flexibility and muscle tension before treating the areas that need attention. Sports massage is only one part of the session. You'll also leave with advice on simple movements or stretches that are appropriate for your situation.
Do I need to be an athlete?
Not at all.
Although I'm a sports massage therapist, many clients are office workers, gardeners, walkers, tradespeople or people who simply want to get back to moving comfortably again.
When should you seek further medical advice?
If pain is severe, follows significant trauma, is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or changes to bladder or bowel function, you should seek urgent medical assessment before booking a massage.
Sports Massage for Lower Back Pain in Derby
Fernleigh Villa Sports Massage Therapy is based in Spondon, Derby and provides one-to-one sports massage appointments for people across Derby, Borrowash, Ockbrook, Chaddesden and Oakwood.
Sports Massage for Runners in Derby
Derby has a brilliant running community. There's a few very good running clubs in Spondon that run right past my clinic every week!
Whether you're training around Elvaston Castle, Pride Park, the river Derwent, or preparing for a half marathon or marathon, running places a huge amount of repetitive load through the calves, hips and lower back.
Sports massage isn't about making every run pain free. It's about helping your body recover, spotting areas that are becoming overloaded, and keeping you training consistently.
Common running problems I see:
- Tight calves.
- Achilles irritation.
- IT band discomfort.
- Glute tightness.
- Hamstring strains.
- Tight hips after increasing mileage.
Every runner is different. Mileage, terrain, footwear and training history all matter.
Before race day
A sports massage before an event isn't the same as a recovery massage afterwards. Treatment is adapted depending on where you are in your training cycle and how close you are to race day. I can and do offer pre-event sports massage treatments and even inter event massage! But ideally I would recommend booking a sports massage session with me 2 or 3 days before your race day.
Recovery after long runs
Recovery massage can help reduce muscle tightness after harder training blocks, particularly when you're increasing weekly mileage or returning after an injury.
Your appointment
Your first appointment includes a consultation so I understand your training, recent injuries and goals before treatment begins. I'll often suggest a small number of exercises or mobility drills rather than sending you away with a long rehabilitation programme you'll never do.
Fernleigh Villa Sports Massage Therapy works with runners from Derby, Spondon, Borrowash, Ockbrook and the surrounding areas.
Shoulder Pain From the Gym
Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people book a sports massage.
Bench press, overhead press, pull-ups, rows and even push-ups can all overload the shoulder if training volume increases too quickly or movement changes.
The shoulder is a complicated joint. Pain felt at the front isn't always coming from the front.
Common symptoms
- Pain when lifting your arm overhead.
- Tightness after pressing exercises.
- Discomfort at the front of the shoulder.
- Pain between the shoulder blade and spine.
- Reduced range of movement.
What happens at Fernleigh Villa Sports Massage Therapy?
We'll look at the movements that reproduce your symptoms before treatment starts.
Sports massage may focus on the chest, rotator cuff muscles, upper back, neck or shoulder depending on what the assessment shows.
Will a sports massage fix the shoulder pain problem?
Sometimes muscle tension is a major contributor. Sometimes it's part of a bigger training or mobility issue.
I'll explain what I think is contributing to your symptoms and suggest simple exercises where appropriate. In some cases, further specialists are needed such as a Doctor, Physiotherapist, Osteopath etc. It depends, but a Sports Massage is often a very good starting point.
Can I still train?
Often it's possible to modify training rather than stopping completely. And sometimes, stopping entirely can cause problems in itself. "Mobility is medicine" is my tagline! I believe in that strongly. But in truth, it depends on the injury.
Sports Massage for Shoulder Pain in Derby
Fernleigh Villa Sports Massage Therapy is based in Spondon and treats gym-goers, weightlifters and active people across Derby and the surrounding area.
Calf Tightness, Achilles Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Your calves do a huge amount of work.
Running, football, Hyrox, CrossFit, walking and standing all load the calf muscles and Achilles tendon thousands of times every day.
When something becomes overloaded, tight calves often appear before pain elsewhere.
Common symptoms
- Tight calves during or after running.
- Morning Achilles stiffness.
- Heel pain when taking your first steps.
- Pain underneath the foot.
- Cramping during exercise.
Why treat the calves?
The calf muscles, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia work together as part of the same chain.
Treating tight muscles can be one part of reducing load through the foot and ankle while addressing movement and recovery.
What happens during treatment?
We'll discuss when symptoms started, training volume, footwear and recent activity before treatment begins.
Sports massage focuses on the muscles that need it, followed by practical advice you can use at home.
Plantar fasciitis isn't always just the foot
Heel pain is often influenced by calf tightness and ankle mobility, so treatment isn't limited to where the pain is felt. I have had this torrid injury twice in recent years!! It is a nuissance to get better but I have always found sports massages help it a lot - it feels nice, for one thing, and often seems to get better not long after. In my experience anyway. But, exercises, flexibility, and so on all play a big part!
Sports Massage for Achilles and Heel Pain in Derby
Fernleigh Villa Sports Massage Therapy is based in Spondon, Derby and welcomes runners, walkers, footballers and anyone dealing with calf or heel pain across Derby and the surrounding villages.