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Common Thigh Injuries

John Miller Physiotherapist jack campbell physiotherapist clayfield sandgate
Article by John Miller & Jack Campbell
Common thigh injuries quadriceps assessment after direct sports impact
Physiotherapy assessment helps identify the source and severity of thigh pain.

What Are the Most Common Thigh Injuries?

Common thigh injuries include muscle strains, corked thigh, hamstring strain, ITB syndrome, runner’s knee, and pain referred from the lower back, hip, or knee. The source of pain is not always obvious early, so symptom pattern, injury mechanism, and movement testing all matter.

If you are active, play sport, or have recently increased training, start by checking the main thigh pain patterns. This can help you decide whether your pain sounds like a muscle injury, a bruising injury, an overload problem, or referred pain such as sciatica.

Quick check: a sudden pull, bruising, swelling, limping, tingling, numbness, or pain that keeps returning should be assessed rather than ignored.

Seek urgent medical care: if you cannot weight-bear, have severe swelling, major trauma, spreading numbness, new weakness, or bladder or bowel changes.

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Which Thigh Injuries Are Most Common?

Most common thigh injuries affect the front, back, or outer side of the thigh. However, pain can also refer from the lower back, hip, or knee. That is why a clear history and physical assessment help guide the right treatment plan.

Hamstring Strain

A hamstring strain affects one or more muscles at the back of the thigh. It often happens during sprinting, kicking, jumping, or sudden acceleration. Common signs include a sharp pull, local tenderness, weakness, and pain with fast walking, bending, or sport.

Thigh Strain or Corked Thigh

A thigh strain can follow a forceful stretch, hard sprint, kick, or sudden change of speed. A corked thigh usually follows a direct knock. Pain, bruising, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty lifting the leg are common.

ITB Syndrome

ITB syndrome is an overload problem often linked with running or cycling. Pain usually sits near the outside of the knee, but tightness or irritation can also track along the outer thigh. Training changes, hip control, and load tolerance can all play a role.

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee, also called patellofemoral pain, usually causes discomfort around or behind the kneecap. Some people feel pain spreading into the lower thigh, especially with stairs, squats, hills, running, or long sitting.

Sciatica or Referred Nerve Pain

Sciatica may cause thigh pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Unlike a simple muscle strain, nerve-related pain may travel down the leg and may change with sitting, bending, coughing, or spinal movement.

What Causes Common Thigh Injuries?

Common thigh injuries often follow sprinting, kicking, sudden acceleration, awkward landing, direct contact, or repeated overload. Other cases relate to poor load progression, reduced strength, limited mobility, running mechanics, or referred symptoms from the back, hip, or knee.

Overuse injuries can build when the thigh muscles and surrounding tissues do not have enough time to adapt. This may happen after a sudden increase in distance, speed, hills, gym loading, sport sessions, or match minutes.

Why Does Thigh Pain Happen During Sport or Exercise?

Thigh pain during sport or exercise often means the tissue load has exceeded what your muscles, tendons, joints, or nerves can currently tolerate. This may follow repeated sprinting, kicking, hills, change-of-direction work, or returning to sport before the thigh has recovered enough.

The pain pattern gives useful clues. A sharp local pain after a sprint may suggest a strain. Bruising after contact may suggest a corked thigh. Burning, tingling, numbness, or pain that travels may suggest nerve involvement.

How Can You Help Prevent Common Thigh Injuries?

Prevention starts with good training habits. A suitable warm-up, gradual workload progression, and a structured exercise program may help improve strength, control, and load tolerance.

Common thigh injuries rehab exercise with supervised lunge strengthening
Controlled strengthening can support graded thigh injury recovery.
  • Warm up well: prepare for speed, kicking, and change-of-direction work.
  • Progress gradually: avoid sudden jumps in distance, intensity, hills, or sprint volume.
  • Build strength: train the hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteals, calves, and trunk.
  • Improve control: work on landing, running, deceleration, and single-leg stability.
  • Respect recovery: sleep, rest days, and lighter sessions still matter.

When Should You Worry About Thigh Pain?

You should seek help if thigh pain is severe, you cannot walk normally, swelling or bruising is significant, symptoms keep returning, or you notice numbness, tingling, or weakness. Ongoing pain that limits work, training, stairs, sitting, or sleep also deserves assessment.

For nerve-related leg pain, Healthdirect provides a useful public overview of sciatica symptoms and causes.

FAQs About Common Thigh Injuries

How do I know if thigh pain is a strain or sciatica?

A muscle strain usually causes local pain, tenderness, and weakness in one part of the thigh after a clear movement or effort. Sciatica more often causes pain that travels, with tingling, numbness, burning, or symptoms that change with back movement or sitting.

How long do common thigh injuries take to heal?

Recovery time depends on the source and severity. A mild muscle issue may settle within days to a few weeks. A larger strain, overload problem, or nerve-related presentation can take longer. Early diagnosis and the right loading plan usually help guide the timeline.

Can I keep exercising with thigh pain?

Sometimes, but it depends on the cause. Mild symptoms may allow modified activity. Sharp pain, limping, bruising, worsening symptoms, numbness, tingling, or weakness usually mean you should stop and get advice. Good management often means modifying load, not pushing through.

What treatment helps common thigh injuries?

Treatment may include load modification, targeted strengthening, mobility work, manual therapy, running or movement advice, and a graded return-to-sport plan. The right option depends on whether the problem is muscular, tendon-related, joint-related, or referred from the back.

Can thigh pain come from the knee, hip, or back?

Yes. Some thigh pain starts outside the thigh. Knee problems can refer pain into the lower thigh, hip problems can affect the upper thigh, and back or nerve irritation can send pain, tingling, or numbness down the leg.

Related PhysioWorks Guides

What to Do Next

If your thigh pain is not settling, keeps coming back, or affects walking, work, training, or sport, a physiotherapist can assess the likely source and guide your next step. Early advice may help you choose the right loading plan and reduce repeated flare-ups.

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References

  1. Jankaew A, Chen JC, Chamnongkich S, Lin CF. Therapeutic Exercises and Modalities in Athletes With Acute Hamstring Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Health. 2023;15(4):497-511. doi:10.1177/19417381221118085
  2. Pietsch S, Lorenz S, Ueblacker P, Mickschl DJ, Hasler M, Kümmel J, et al. Epidemiology of quadriceps muscle strain injuries in elite track and field athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2024;58(2):95-101.
  3. Pietsch S, Lorenz S, Hasler M, Ueblacker P, Mickschl DJ, Schlegel TF, et al. Risk Factors for Quadriceps Muscle Strain Injuries in Sport: A Systematic Review. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022;17(4):536-550.
  4. Sanchez-Alvarado A, Bokil C, Cassel M, Engel T. Effects of conservative treatment strategies for iliotibial band syndrome on pain and function in runners: a systematic review. Front Sports Act Living. 2024;6:1386456. doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1386456
  5. Neal BS, Lack SD, Bartholomew C, Morrissey D, et al. Best practice guide for patellofemoral pain based on synthesis of a systematic review, the patient voice and expert clinical reasoning. Br J Sports Med. 2024;58(24):1486-1495. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2024-108110
  6. Zaina F, Doniselli FM, Andreucci A, et al. Identification of Best Evidence for Rehabilitation in persons with low back pain with radiculopathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(6):1209-1218. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2023.02.013

What Are the Most Common Running Injuries?

John Miller Physiotherapist Chelsea Gan Physiotherapist
Article by John Miller & Chelsea Gan
Runner with knee pain pointing to knee during physiotherapy assessment in clinic

Running injuries most often affect the knee, shin, Achilles tendon, calf, foot and hip. Many develop gradually when a recent running demand exceeds the capacity of a muscle, tendon, joint or bone.

Common pattern

Pain builds during a run, appears afterwards or feels worse the next morning.

Important clue

Symptoms often follow a change in distance, speed, hills, frequency, surface or recovery.

Seek assessment

Book earlier when pain changes your stride, causes limping or becomes sharp and localised.

Which running injuries are most common?

Running-related injuries can affect muscles, tendons, joints, bones and other supporting tissues. Some start suddenly, such as an ankle sprain or calf strain. However, many build over several runs as repeated loading exceeds the tissue’s current capacity.

The eight conditions below account for many of the knee, shin, calf, heel, foot and thigh symptoms reported by recreational runners.

Runner’s knee

Pain around or behind the kneecap. It commonly becomes noticeable during hills, stairs, squats or longer runs.

Shin splints

A broader area of exercise-related pain along the shin. Symptoms often follow a change in impact load or training volume.

Achilles tendinopathy

Pain and stiffness around the Achilles tendon. Morning stiffness and discomfort at the start of running are common features.

Plantar fasciopathy

Pain under the heel or arch. The first steps after rest may feel uncomfortable before symptoms ease with movement.

ITB syndrome

Pain around the outside of the knee. It may appear at a similar point during each run, particularly on hills.

Calf strain

A sudden or gradually worsening pain in the calf. Faster running, sprinting and hills can increase calf demand.

Hamstring injury

Pain at the back of the thigh or near the sitting bone. Symptoms may affect faster running, acceleration and longer strides.

Bone stress injury

Focal bone pain that may progress from running pain to discomfort with hopping, walking or normal daily activity.

Where do runners commonly feel pain?

Front or outside of the knee

Front-of-knee pain may relate to runner’s knee, also called patellofemoral pain. Symptoms often become noticeable during downhill running, stairs, squats or after sitting with the knee bent.

Pain on the outside of the knee may fit an iliotibial band presentation. However, several knee structures can cause pain in a similar area. The location alone does not confirm a diagnosis.

Along the shin

A broad area of tenderness along the inner shin often fits shin splints. By contrast, a small and sharply localised painful area raises more concern about a bone stress injury.

Shin pain warrants earlier assessment when hopping is painful, symptoms persist after exercise or discomfort begins affecting walking.

Behind the ankle or in the calf

Achilles tendinopathy commonly causes pain, stiffness or thickening around the tendon. Symptoms may feel worse during the first steps in the morning or when beginning a run.

A calf strain is more likely when pain starts suddenly during acceleration, hills or faster running. Significant weakness, swelling or difficulty pushing through the foot requires prompt assessment.

Under the heel or through the foot

Plantar fasciopathy often causes pain under the heel, particularly during the first few steps after getting out of bed or standing after rest.

Forefoot pain has several possible causes, including metatarsal overload, nerve irritation and bone stress. Persistent focal pain should not be managed simply by continuing to run through it.

At the hip, groin or back of the thigh

Hip and thigh symptoms may involve the gluteal tendons, hamstrings, hip joint or surrounding muscles. Proximal hamstring symptoms often sit close to the lower buttock and may become uncomfortable during faster running or prolonged sitting.

Groin pain has several possible sources. Assessment becomes more important when pain persists, affects walking or does not settle after a reasonable reduction in training.

Why do running injuries happen?

Running injuries rarely have one isolated cause. Instead, they usually reflect an interaction between recent training, previous injuries, recovery, health, tissue capacity and the demands of the runner’s chosen pace, terrain and distance.

Common contributing factors may include:

  • A longer individual run than your body has recently tolerated
  • Adding speed, hills and distance within the same training period
  • Returning quickly after illness, injury or a break from running
  • Insufficient recovery between demanding sessions
  • Reduced calf, thigh, hip or trunk capacity
  • A previous injury that has not regained full strength or running tolerance
  • A sudden change in shoes, running surface or training environment

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What are the early signs of a running injury?

An early running injury does not always begin with severe pain. Mild changes in comfort, stiffness or movement can appear before running becomes significantly limited.

During running

Pain starts earlier, becomes stronger or makes you shorten your stride.

After running

Soreness lasts longer than expected or increases later in the day.

The next morning

Stiffness, tenderness or pain is worse than your usual post-training response.

Other warning signs include swelling, reduced push-off strength, repeated pain at the same running distance and declining confidence in the affected leg.

Can you keep running with an injury?

Some runners can continue with a temporarily reduced load. Others need to pause running while the injury is assessed. The safest choice depends on the suspected tissue, symptom severity and how the condition responds during and after exercise.

Consider reducing or stopping the run when:

  • Pain continues to increase as you run
  • Your stride changes or you begin to limp
  • Symptoms remain clearly worse the following morning
  • You have sharp or highly localised bone pain
  • You lose strength, balance or confidence in the leg
  • Running causes increasing swelling

A minor symptom that remains mild, does not alter movement and settles promptly may allow a modified run. However, repeatedly testing an injury with the same aggravating session can delay recovery.

How are running injuries assessed?

A physiotherapy assessment usually begins by clarifying where symptoms started, how they respond to running and what changed before the problem developed.

Your assessment may include:

  1. Reviewing your recent training

    Your physiotherapist may compare distance, pace, hills, speed sessions, surfaces, footwear, recovery and recent interruptions to training.

  2. Examining the painful area

    Palpation, movement testing and relevant clinical tests help identify which tissues may be contributing.

  3. Checking strength and movement capacity

    Testing may include calf raises, hopping, squats, step tasks, hip strength or other movements matched to your symptoms.

  4. Reviewing your running where useful

    A running assessment can examine relevant movement patterns and how they interact with your current injury and training demands.

Imaging is not required for every running injury. However, a medical referral or imaging may be appropriate when the assessment suggests a fracture, significant tendon injury or another condition needing further investigation.

Physiotherapist guiding step-up exercise for lower limb strength and rehabilitation in clinic

How can physiotherapy help a running injury?

Physiotherapy aims to identify the likely injury, reduce aggravating load and rebuild the capacity needed for running. Your plan should reflect the affected tissue, your current symptoms and the type of running you want to resume.

Management may include:

  • Temporary changes to running distance, pace, hills or frequency
  • Progressive calf, knee, hamstring, hip or trunk strengthening
  • Mobility work when a relevant restriction affects function
  • Advice about footwear, surfaces and training structure
  • Movement or running retraining when it has a clear clinical purpose
  • A staged return-to-run program
  • Testing before faster running, hills or longer distances resume

Passive treatment may help some symptoms in the short term. However, rebuilding load tolerance and gradually returning to running usually remain central to rehabilitation.

Runners with recurring symptoms may also benefit from a dedicated running injury risk and performance assessment.

How can you reduce your risk of another running injury?

No strategy can prevent every injury. Even so, sensible progression and adequate recovery can reduce avoidable overload.

  1. Build one demand at a time

    Avoid making large increases in distance, speed and hills simultaneously.

  2. Watch individual long-run changes

    Compare a planned longer run with the longest distance you have completed recently, not only your weekly total.

  3. Keep regular strength work

    Calf, thigh, hamstring, hip and trunk exercises can support the physical demands of running.

  4. Respond early to warning signs

    Modify training when pain escalates, changes your stride or remains worse the following morning.

  5. Return gradually after a break

    Fitness can return faster than the load tolerance of bones, tendons and muscles after time away.

When should a runner book an assessment?

Consider booking a physiotherapy assessment when:

  • Pain is changing your running technique
  • You cannot progress training without another flare-up
  • Symptoms are worsening from one session to the next
  • Morning pain or stiffness is becoming more noticeable
  • Pain is sharply localised over a bone
  • You have swelling, weakness or difficulty walking
  • You are unsure how much running is currently safe

Earlier assessment is especially useful when a stress fracture, significant calf injury or Achilles tendon injury is possible.

Running injuries guide

Explore running-related conditions, treatment principles and return-to-running information.

Running assessment

Learn how strength, mobility, training and running movement may be assessed together.

Sports physiotherapy

Find out how sports physiotherapy can support injury rehabilitation and return to activity.

Common running injury FAQs

What is the most common running injury?

Knee pain, including runner’s knee or patellofemoral pain, is consistently among the most frequently reported running injuries. Shin splints, Achilles tendinopathy and plantar heel pain are also common.

Are most running injuries caused by overuse?

Many running injuries develop gradually through repeated loading rather than one traumatic event. However, “overuse” does not identify one cause. Training changes, recovery, previous injury, health and tissue capacity can all contribute.

What are the first signs of a running injury?

Early signs may include pain that begins sooner during a run, soreness that lasts longer afterwards, increasing morning stiffness or a subtle change in stride. Repeated symptoms at a similar distance also deserve attention.

Should I stop running when I have pain?

Stop or reduce running when pain escalates, changes your gait, causes swelling or remains clearly worse the following morning. Mild symptoms that settle promptly may allow modified activity, but the safe approach depends on the injury.

When is shin pain more serious?

Shin pain is more concerning when it is sharply localised, painful with hopping, present during walking or continuing after exercise. These features may indicate a bone stress injury and should be assessed promptly.

Can a running assessment prevent injuries?

A running assessment cannot guarantee injury prevention. It may identify useful changes to strength, training, recovery or movement when interpreted alongside your symptoms, injury history and running goals.

What causes knee pain when running?

Running-related knee pain may involve the patellofemoral joint, iliotibial band, patellar tendon or another structure. Training changes, reduced tissue capacity and a previous injury can contribute, so persistent pain should be assessed rather than diagnosed from location alone.

What should you do next?

Use the links above to compare your painful area with the most relevant condition guide. Meanwhile, reduce the running sessions that clearly aggravate your symptoms rather than repeatedly testing the same painful load.

Book an assessment when pain is changing your stride, limiting normal training or becoming more localised. A clear diagnosis and staged rehabilitation plan can help you return to running with appropriate progression.

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References

  1. Correia CK, Machado JM, Dominski FH, de Castro MP, Fontana HB, Ruschel C. Risk factors for running-related injuries: an umbrella systematic review. Journal of Sport and Health Science. 2024;13(6):743–757. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2024.04.011.
  2. Frandsen JSB, Hulme A, Nielsen RO, et al. How much running is too much? Identifying high-risk running sessions in a 5200-person cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025;59(17):1203–1211.
  3. Kakouris N, Yener N, Fong DTP. A systematic review of running-related musculoskeletal injuries in runners. Journal of Sport and Health Science. 2021;10(5):513–522. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2021.04.001.

When Is the Best Time for a Pre-Event Massage?

Ashish Shrestha Massage Therapist
Article by Ashish Shrestha
pre event massage calf treatment preparing athlete before sport
Pre-event calf massage before sport.

Pre-Event Massage Timing: The Short Answer

Pre event massage is usually best booked 48–72 hours before competition if you want firmer sports massage. Deeper work too close to a race, match, or event can leave muscles tender or heavy. Light massage may suit the day before or the same day if you already know your body responds well.

A pre event massage is a short, targeted massage session before sport, racing, training, or competition. It should support your usual sports massage, warm-up, sleep, hydration, and recovery plan rather than replace them.

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Book Massage

Massage is available at selected PhysioWorks clinics. Choose your clinic or therapist below if you know who you would like to book.

What Is a Pre-Event Massage?

A pre event massage is a massage session before sport or exercise. It usually targets the muscles you are about to use, such as the calves, hamstrings, thighs, glutes, back, neck, or shoulders.

The aim is to help you feel ready, mobile, and calm without making the body sore or flat. Your massage therapist may use light flushing, gentle compression, short strokes, or targeted work on tight areas. Pressure should match your event timing and your usual response to massage.

Quick Timing Guide

  • 3–5 days before: deeper work may suit tight or loaded areas.
  • 48–72 hours before: often the best window for firm but controlled sports massage.
  • 24 hours before: keep pressure light, familiar, and brief.
  • Same day: use only gentle massage if you already tolerate it well.

When Should You Book a Pre-Event Massage?

Choose your timing based on how close your event is, how hard you train, and how your muscles usually feel after massage. A new or very firm treatment style is not ideal close to competition.

Timing Massage Style Best Fit
3–5 days before Firmer, targeted work Loaded areas, training tightness, familiar deep massage
48–72 hours before Firm but controlled sports massage Most athletes wanting pre-event preparation
24 hours before Light massage only Relaxation, gentle mobility, pre-event calm
Same day Brief and gentle Experienced users who know it suits them

Three to Five Days Before Sport

Deep tissue massage may suit athletes who want firmer work before an event. This timing gives your body time to settle if the session causes mild soreness.

This window may suit heavy training weeks, calf tightness, hamstring tightness, back stiffness, or areas that often feel loaded. It also gives you time to adjust training, mobility, fluid intake, and rest before the event.

Forty-Eight to Seventy-Two Hours Before Sport

For many athletes, 48–72 hours before competition is the most useful window for pre event massage. The session can still be targeted, but it should not be so intense that it affects race day or match day movement.

Timing matters because massage can change how your body feels. A known treatment style is safer than trying a new, heavy technique close to competition.

pre event massage calf pressure adjusted before competition
Lighter pressure suits event-day timing.

The Day Before or Same Day

Massage within 24 hours should stay light. Deep tissue or intense work can leave muscles tender, sore, or dull. That may affect how you move during sport.

Light techniques may still help with relaxation, comfort, and pre-event calm. Many athletes combine a light pre event massage with an active warm-up and recovery massage strategies after the event.

What Benefits May Pre-Event Massage Provide?

Research suggests sports massage may help some people with soreness, comfort, flexibility, and perceived recovery. Performance effects vary. Your response depends on pressure, timing, training load, sport type, and how your body usually responds.

Pre event massage may help with:

  • short-term muscle relaxation
  • a calmer pre-event routine
  • awareness of tight or sensitive areas
  • lighter movement before competition
  • confidence when paired with a good warm-up

Practical tip: Do not use race week to test a new massage style. Use a pressure and duration you already trust.

Can Massage Improve Sporting Performance?

Massage should not be viewed as a shortcut to better performance. Current research is mixed, and some reviews do not show a clear direct performance boost. The more realistic goal is to help you feel comfortable, prepared, and settled as part of a broader event routine.

For athletes, the best results usually come from the full picture: training progression, sleep, fuelling, hydration, warm-up, recovery, and sensible load management.

Symptoms Massage May Help Before Sport

Pre event massage may suit athletes who feel tight, tense, heavy, or mildly stiff before sport. It may also support people who often manage delayed onset muscle soreness, training tightness, or post-training muscle soreness.

However, massage is not a substitute for assessment if pain feels sharp, sudden, swollen, bruised, or worse over time. In that case, check whether you may have a muscle strain or another sports injury before you compete.

Discuss Timing With Your Massage Therapist

Tell your massage therapist your event date, sport, training load, injury history, and preferred pressure. This helps them choose a session style that fits your timing and avoids unnecessary soreness.

If you are also managing a recent strain, recurring niggle, or return-to-sport concern, a physiotherapist may help fit massage into a broader sports injury plan.

Is This Massage Right for You?

Pre Event Massage May Suit You If:

  • you have a race, match, or event in the next few days
  • you want light, targeted treatment before sport
  • you already know your body responds well to massage
  • you want help planning massage timing around training
  • you also use warm-up, sleep, fluid intake, and recovery strategies

When Massage May Not Be Appropriate

Avoid pre event massage if you have fever, infection, open wounds, unexplained swelling, severe bruising, suspected acute tearing, or symptoms that are getting worse. You should also avoid deep massage if your doctor or physiotherapist has advised against it.

If you are unsure, discuss your symptoms before treatment. This matters most if your pain is new, sharp, linked to a clear injury, or limiting your sport.

Helpful Links

Pre-Event Massage FAQs

How long before an event should I get a pre event massage?

Many athletes book a pre event massage 48–72 hours before competition. This gives enough time for any mild post-massage soreness to settle. If you book within 24 hours, keep the massage light and brief.

Is a massage the day before a race too close?

Massage the day before a race can be suitable if it is light and familiar. Avoid heavy pressure or new techniques because they may leave your muscles feeling sore, heavy, or flat on race day.

Can you get a massage on the same day as an event?

Same-day pre event massage should be short, gentle, and part of your usual routine. It should support your warm-up, not replace it. Avoid deep or intense work just before competition.

Should I choose deep tissue or light massage before an event?

Deep tissue massage is usually better 48–72 hours before an event. Light massage is safer in the last 24 hours. Your therapist can adjust pressure based on your sport, timing, and past response.

Who should avoid pre event sports massage?

Avoid pre event massage if you have an acute injury, open wounds, fever, infection, unexplained swelling, or medical advice to avoid massage. Seek assessment if pain is sharp, sudden, or worsening.

pre event massage finishing calf treatment before sport
Calm treatment before the next event.

Brisbane Massage Therapists

PhysioWorks massage therapists provide hands-on care for muscle tension, recovery support, relaxation, and sport preparation across Brisbane clinics.

Remedial Massage Therapists

Our remedial massage therapists help relieve muscle tension, improve flexibility, reduce soft tissue pain, and support recovery from training loads, desk posture, and everyday physical stress.

What to Do Next

Choose your massage timing based on your event date. Book firmer work several days before sport. Keep massage light if your event is tomorrow or today.

For more guidance, read our Brisbane massage services page or book a massage appointment at a PhysioWorks clinic.

Massage Satisfaction Promise

We aim to provide a consistently high standard of care. If, within the first 30 minutes of your massage, you feel the treatment is not meeting your expectations, please tell your massage therapist. You may choose to stop the session at that point, with no charge applied.

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References

  1. Davis HL, Alabed S, Chico TJA. Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):e000614. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000614
  2. Dakić M, Toskić L, Ilić V, et al. The effects of massage therapy on sport and exercise performance: a systematic review. Sports (Basel). 2023;11(6):110. doi:10.3390/sports11060110
  3. Buoite Stella A, Ruzza FR, Callovini A, et al. Immediate effects of sports massage on muscle strength, power and balance after simulated trail running in the cold. Sport Sci Health. 2025;21:1107–1117. doi:10.1007/s11332-025-01348-3
  4. Mine K, Lei D, Nakayama T. Is pre-performance massage effective to improve maximal muscle strength and functional performance? A systematic review. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2018;13(5):789–799. doi:10.26603/ijspt20180789
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