PRIMUS PHYSIO
Sports Massage

Sports Massage
Newcastle-under-Lyme & Stoke-on-Trent

Professional sports massage from an HCPC registered physiotherapist — for athletes, active adults and anyone carrying muscle tension or injury.

Sports RecoveryDeep TissueInjury RehabBack & NeckPre & Post Event

Sports Massage Pricing

Based at Copthall House, King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme — 10 minutes from Stoke-on-Trent city centre with free parking. Sessions can be booked as standalone treatments or combined with physiotherapy assessment and manual therapy. No GP referral needed.

30 Minutes
£35

Targeted treatment for a specific area — back, neck, legs or shoulders

45 Minutes
£45

Full treatment for one or two areas — ideal for regular maintenance

60 Minutes
£55

Full body treatment — recommended for athletes in training or post-event recovery

Benefits of Sports Massage

Sports massage works by targeting the soft tissues — muscles, tendons and fascia — to restore normal function and reduce pain.

Muscle tension relief

Sustained pressure and deep tissue techniques release chronic muscle tightness that builds up through training, desk work or repetitive activity.

Improved recovery

Increases blood flow to the treated area, helping to clear metabolic waste and deliver oxygen and nutrients to recovering muscle tissue.

Injury prevention

Identifying and treating areas of tightness and restriction before they develop into injuries — particularly valuable for runners and athletes in regular training.

Pre-event preparation

Lighter, faster techniques to activate and prepare the muscles before competition or a long run — improving tissue readiness and reducing injury risk.

Post-event recovery

Slower, deeper work after competition to reduce soreness, improve mobility and speed up recovery between training sessions.

Pain reduction

Manual pressure stimulates the nervous system to reduce pain signals, providing relief for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Techniques Used

Sessions are tailored to your specific needs — not a generic treatment. Techniques are selected based on your presentation and goals.

Effleurage & petrissage

Flowing strokes and kneading techniques to warm the tissue, improve circulation and begin releasing superficial muscle tension. Used at the start and end of most sessions.

Deep tissue massage

Sustained pressure applied to deeper muscle layers to release chronic tension and fascial restriction. Particularly effective for back pain, tight hip flexors and hamstrings.

Trigger point release

Focused pressure on hyperirritable points in the muscle that refer pain to other areas. Common in neck, shoulder and glute muscles — often the source of headaches and referred leg pain.

Soft tissue release (STR)

A combination of applied pressure and active or passive movement to release fascial adhesions and restore normal tissue extensibility — particularly effective for calf, hamstring and forearm tightness.

Muscle energy techniques (MET)

Gentle active contractions followed by passive stretching to improve joint range of motion and muscle length — often used for hip flexor and thoracic stiffness.

Sports Massage from a Physiotherapist

Serving patients from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley, Burslem and across Staffordshire. The difference between sports massage from a physiotherapist and from a general massage therapist is clinical assessment. Luqman Mazhar, HCPC and CSP registered physiotherapist and formerly Head Academy Physiotherapist at Port Vale FC, can assess and diagnose the underlying cause of your pain or tightness before treating it.

If an injury or structural problem is identified during a massage session, it can be addressed with physiotherapy techniques in the same appointment. This is a level of clinical oversight that a standalone massage therapist cannot provide.

HCPC & CSP Registered

Fully regulated physiotherapist. Professional indemnity insurance for all treatments.

Clinical diagnosis included

Any underlying injury or condition identified during massage can be assessed and treated in the same session.

Elite sport background

Formerly Head Academy Physio at Port Vale FC — the same soft tissue techniques used in professional football applied to every patient.

Same-week availability

Evenings and weekends available. Copthall House, King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Free parking outside.

What Patients Say

★★★★★

"Knee pain from a running injury had stopped my training. Luqman reduced the pain and I ran the Stafford Half at almost 100%. Very happy with the results."

— Gary Lovell
★★★★★

"My goal was to run the London Marathon with aggravated knee pain. Without visiting Luqman I'm not sure I would have achieved that goal. Incredible knowledge."

— Thomas Hulme
★★★★★

"Very clean clinic with free parking. Luqman helped sort my shoulder issue. Very professional and knowledgeable."

— Balal Basharat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sports massage and deep tissue massage? +
Sports massage focuses on the specific muscles involved in sport and exercise, using techniques tailored to athletic performance, recovery and injury prevention. Deep tissue massage targets deeper muscle layers to release chronic tension. At Primus Physio, sports massage incorporates both approaches guided by clinical assessment.
Do I need to be a sportsperson to have a sports massage? +
No — sports massage benefits anyone with muscle tension, desk-related pain, post-exercise soreness or general tightness. The term 'sports' refers to the techniques used, not the patient. Many patients who benefit most work desk jobs rather than play sport.
Is sports massage from a physiotherapist different? +
Yes — a physiotherapist can assess and diagnose musculoskeletal problems before and during treatment. This means the massage targets the structures causing your symptoms rather than being a general treatment. If an underlying injury is identified during the session, it can be addressed clinically.
Will sports massage be painful? +
Deep tissue work can cause some discomfort — particularly on areas of chronic tightness. This is sometimes described as a "good pain". Communication is encouraged throughout the session so pressure can be adjusted. Some muscle soreness for 24–48 hours after a deep tissue session is normal and expected.
How often should I have a sports massage? +
This depends on your activity level and goals. Athletes in heavy training often benefit from weekly or fortnightly sessions. For general maintenance and recovery, monthly sessions are popular. If managing a specific injury or tightness, more frequent sessions may be recommended initially.
How much does sports massage cost? +
Sports massage at Primus Physio is £35 for 30 minutes, £45 for 45 minutes and £55 for 60 minutes. Sessions can be standalone or combined with physiotherapy treatment.
Do I need a GP referral? +
No — you can book directly at Primus Physio without a GP referral. Same-week appointments are available including evenings and weekends in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
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From £35 · Same-week appointments in Newcastle-under-Lyme & Stoke-on-Trent · Evenings & weekends available

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