Tailored sports massage at our Earlswood clinic for athletes, active people and anyone living with muscle tension or stiffness.
At Ascension Physiotherapy & Performance, sports massage and soft tissue therapy are led by co-founder Paul Doherty, who spent 16 years as Men's First Team Soft Tissue Therapist at Birmingham City FC. Every session is tailored to you, whether you are preparing for an event, recovering from hard training or simply want to feel and move more comfortably.
You do not need to be an athlete to book. Our clinic in Earlswood, Solihull welcomes runners, gym goers, weekend footballers and people who feel tight and stiff from desk work, driving or physical jobs.
No two bodies respond to training, work and everyday life in the same way. Your session starts with a conversation about how you feel, what you do and what you want from the treatment. That helps us focus on the areas that matter rather than following a fixed routine.
Your therapist will then choose the pressure, pace and techniques that suit you. Some people want a deep, focused session on one area. Others benefit from a broader treatment to ease general tension. We take a holistic view, looking at nearby areas that may be contributing to the problem as well as the spot you notice most.
Sports massage is not only for professional athletes. It can support anyone whose muscles are working hard, whether that is on the pitch, on the road or at a desk. We welcome:
Not sure whether sports massage is the right choice? Get in touch with our team and we will point you in the right direction.
Everyone's needs are different, but clients commonly come to us for support with:
Sports massage is intended to support how your muscles feel and move. It is not a substitute for a diagnosis. If your therapist feels your symptoms need a fuller assessment, they may suggest seeing one of our physiotherapists in Solihull.
We start by talking through how you feel, your activity levels, any relevant injuries or medical history and what you want from the session.
Your therapist will look at the relevant area and how you move, so treatment is focused where it is most likely to help.
Hands-on treatment is adapted to you, using the techniques and pressure that suit your body and goals. You can ask for changes at any point.
You will leave with practical aftercare advice and an honest view on whether further sessions, or a different service, would be useful.
Alongside hands-on sports massage, we offer three specialist approaches. Each can be added to a sports massage or booked on its own. Not every technique suits every person, so your therapist will recommend what is appropriate after your consultation.
A deep, focused massage technique using varied strokes, depths and tempos across the muscle. It is often used to help ease muscle tension and support movement and range of motion. DTTF can be booked as a standalone 30 minute or 1 hour treatment.
Your therapist uses specially designed tools to work over the muscles and soft tissue. IASTM may help reduce discomfort, support range of motion and encourage blood flow to the area being treated.
Specialised cups create a gentle vacuum that lifts and stretches the skin and underlying tissue. Cupping is intended to reduce feelings of tension, support blood flow and can have a calming effect. It may leave temporary marks on the skin.
Paul's approach was shaped by nearly two decades of full-time work with elite sports people. In that environment, soft tissue treatment is part of a wider routine of training, recovery and preparation rather than an occasional extra.
We bring the same thinking to everyone who visits. Sports massage can support recovery between training sessions, help you feel ready before an event and form a useful part of a regular maintenance routine.
Because physiotherapy, personal training and strength and conditioning all sit under one roof at Ascension, your sports massage can form part of a wider plan whenever you need one.
Paul is one of Ascension's co-founders and leads our sports massage and soft tissue therapy service. He spent 16 years as Men's First Team Soft Tissue Therapist at Birmingham City FC, including time in the Premier League, after honing his skills in private practice in London.
His experience extends beyond football, having also worked with international cricketers, West End stars and Hollywood stunt performers. His approach is holistic and tailored to each person, whether your focus is recovery, maintenance, pre-event preparation or rehabilitation.
A brilliant sports massage with Paul Doherty — extremely knowledgeable, taking the time to assess mobility and work on other contributing areas rather than just focusing on the immediate problem.
Multiple soft tissue sessions with Paul to help with recovery — very knowledgeable, with good guidance to improve training. Huge improvements after each visit. Would 100% recommend Ascension PP to others.
No. Sports massage is suitable for many people, not just athletes. We welcome runners, gym goers and team sport players of every level, as well as people who experience muscle tension from work, driving or everyday life.
Sports massage focuses on hands-on treatment of the muscles and soft tissues to help ease tension and support recovery. Physiotherapy involves a clinical assessment to identify the cause of pain or injury, followed by a treatment and rehabilitation plan that often includes exercise. If you have a new injury or pain you are unsure about, our physiotherapy service may be the better place to start.
You do not need to choose before you arrive. Your therapist will discuss your needs, assess the relevant area and then recommend the techniques that are suitable for you. You can ask questions or say if you would prefer a different approach at any time.
Wear comfortable clothing, such as sportswear, that allows the area being treated to be reached easily. If you are unsure, contact the team before your appointment.
Sports massage can feel firm, and some techniques use deeper pressure, but it should never be more than you are comfortable with. Your therapist will check in with you and adjust the pressure throughout. Some people notice mild soreness afterwards, similar to how muscles can feel after exercise.
There is no single answer. It depends on your training, work, goals and how your body responds. Some people book around a busy training block or event, while others prefer a regular maintenance session. Your therapist can suggest a sensible routine for you.
You can book online, call us on 01564 637 358 or send a message through our contact page.
Ascension Physiotherapy & Performance is located at Unit 2, Rumbush Farm Business Park, Rumbush Lane, Earlswood, Solihull, B94 5LW.
Whether you are training for an event, recovering from a busy week or simply want to move more comfortably, book a session at our Earlswood clinic.
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