How Sports Massage Can Help Prevent Injuries During Footy Season

Footy season is back - and if you’re anything like the players we see every week at Remedial Massage Preston, you’re keen to hit the ground running (and stay running).

But here’s the reality: muscle tightness, niggles, and small imbalances have a nasty habit of turning into bigger injuries right when you least want them to.

That’s where sports massage steps in - not just as a fix after you're injured, but as a smart, simple way to stay ahead of the game.

Professional sports massage in Preston helps athletes prevent injuries during footy season by improving muscle recovery, flexibility, and performance.

Common Footy Injuries We See

If you’ve played a season or two, you already know the usual suspects:

• Hamstring strains from sprinting or kicking

• Quad and calf tears from quick acceleration

• Shoulder sprains from tackles or awkward falls

• Lower back tightness from twisting and turning

• Corkies that seem small but stiffen you up for days

At Remedial Massage Preston, these are the types of issues we treat every week - whether it’s local legends from the Preston Bullants FC, stars from the Darebin Falcons Women’s FC, or everyday footy lovers playing for fun.

Our regular clients know that staying on top of tightness and soreness helps them move better, feel stronger, and avoid time on the sidelines.

How Sports Massage Helps Keep You On The Field

You don’t have to wait for something to tear or pull to get a sports massage. In fact, the smart players know it’s what you do before injuries show up that makes all the difference (3).

Here’s how it helps:

• Loosens tight muscles: Easier movement = less strain during game time.

• Boosts flexibility: Making it easier to dodge tackles, sprint, or leap without overstretching.

• Enhances blood flow: Meaning faster recovery between training and games.

• Releases tension in problem areas: So that one stiff hammy doesn't mess with your hip, back, or knees.

• Finds small issues early: Many of our clients have caught minor strains and niggles early - before they became 6-week injuries.

The players who come to us every season already know:

A targeted, professional sports massage isn't just a feel-good thing - it's an essential part of keeping the body strong, mobile, and ready to perform.

Regular Massage: Your Secret Weapon for a Big Season

Footy’s a grind. It's heavy training loads, bruises, knocks, and hard surfaces week after week. Your body needs maintenance the same way your boots need cleaning and your gear needs checking.

Our clients tell us they notice:

• Less soreness after training and matches

• Fewer tight spots that lead to strains

• Easier recovery between games

• A stronger sense of readiness every time they step on the field

Most players who stick to a massage schedule - whether it’s fortnightly or monthly - say they feel like they have another gear compared to when they just "hope for the best."

Proudly Supporting Preston’s Footy Community

At Remedial Massage Preston, we’re proud sponsors of Preston Bullants Football Club and Darebin Falcons Women's Football Club — two clubs that know the value of looking after their bodies the right way.

We work closely with athletes across Preston and surrounding suburbs to keep them on the park longer, feeling stronger, and playing at their best.

If you’re putting in the work at training, you deserve to invest in your recovery too.

Book Your Sports Massage Before That Niggle Turns Into a Nightmare

Ready to make this your strongest, healthiest footy season yet? 👉 Book a Sports Massage today or call us on (03) 9579 5919 to find a time that suits you.

Don’t wait for an injury to stop you. Look after your body now, and it’ll pay you back all season long.

Extra Resources for Athletes

• Sports Performance Recovery (1)

• Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (2)

References:

1. Australian Sports Commission. (n.d.). Sports performance recovery. Clearinghouse for Sport. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/kb/sports-performance-recovery

2. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. (n.d.). Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.jssm.org/

3. Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Sports massage. Healthdirect. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sports-massage