Sports Massage Edinburgh
Targeted soft tissue work to ease tension, free up stiff muscles, and help you move better. Based in Leith, inside a physio-led clinic, so if your problem needs more than massage you are already in the right place.
Your sports massage is delivered by our qualified therapists, Artur Biernasz (HND Sports Therapy) and Sebastian Labedz (BSc Sports Rehabilitation), overseen by our HCPC-registered physiotherapists.
Why get a sports massage at a physio-led clinic?
Because you get skilled hands and an honest read on whether massage is the right tool at all. Health by Science is a physio-led clinic, not a pure massage shop, so our sports massage sits alongside HCPC-registered physiotherapists. If your stiffness keeps coming back, we will tell you, and point you to the right next step rather than booking you in for another rub down.
A sports massage at Health by Science is hands-on treatment for tight, overworked or stiff muscles. Our therapists work the areas that are bothering you, ease the tension, and send you away knowing what to do next.
Most people booking sports massage with us are runners, cyclists, gym-goers and desk workers from across Edinburgh, carrying tension they cannot shift on their own. Some want a one-off reset. Others come back through a heavy training block, or keep a regular slot to stay on top of it.
What is a sports massage at HBS?
It reduces muscle tension, eases stiffness and supports recovery. It suits active people, gym-goers, runners and anyone carrying tightness from training, sport or long hours at a desk. You do not need to be sporty to benefit.
At HBS the difference is the room you are in. Your therapist works alongside our physiotherapy and strength teams every day. So you get skilled hands plus an honest read on whether massage is the right tool for what you are dealing with. That is why people search for massage and physiotherapy together, and find both under one roof in Leith.
Who is a sports massage for?
Sports massage suits three groups most often: active people managing training load, professionals carrying desk tension, and anyone whose muscles feel persistently stiff. If that sounds like you, it is a good place to start.
Does a sports massage hurt?
A sports massage should not be painful, though it can feel intense at times, especially on a very tight or sensitive area. It should always stay manageable. We adjust the pressure to suit your comfort and your goals, so the work is effective without being something you have to grit your teeth through.
Hard pressure is not a measure of how well a massage works. Deep does not mean better. If a therapist is pushing into pain to prove a point, that is not good practice. Tell us what you are feeling as we go, and we will work with it.
Sports massage or deep tissue massage, which do you need?
Sports massage and deep tissue massage overlap more than the names suggest. Both work into muscle tension. Deep tissue massage in Edinburgh usually means slower, firmer work into specific tight areas. Sports massage tends to be more movement-focused and built around training or activity. In practice, your therapist blends the two based on what your muscles need on the day.
The label matters less than the assessment. We do not pick a technique from a menu. We feel what is going on, ask how it behaves through your week, and adapt. If you book and you are not sure which you want, that is fine. We will work it out together in the session.
Will a sports massage fix my pain or just ease it?
Honestly, a sports massage eases symptoms. It does not fix causes. That is not a knock on massage, it is just what the tool does well. You will likely feel looser and more comfortable afterwards, and for a recovery reset or general tension that is exactly the point.
But if the same pain or stiffness keeps coming back, massage alone will not change that. Something is driving it: how you load, how you move, how you recover. Treating the symptom feels good and buys relief. Addressing the cause is what stops you booking the same appointment every month for the same problem.
We would rather tell you that than sell you a standing order you do not need.
When does a niggle need a physio assessment, not a massage?
Most everyday tightness is fine for massage. Some things are not, and it helps to know the difference before you book.
Book a physiotherapy assessment instead of a massage if you have sharp or worsening pain, swelling, sudden weakness, pins and needles, or pain that started after a specific injury or fall. Those signs need looking at, not just treating with soft tissue work.
If you are unsure, start with a conversation rather than guessing. As a physiotherapist, I would always rather spend ten minutes working out what is actually going on than have you book treatment that was never going to help. Massage has a place. It is just not always the right first move. Stuart Maytham, Physiotherapist, HCPC PH108811
How often should you book a sports massage?
It depends on your training, your symptoms and your goals, so there is no single right answer. Here is a simple way to think about it.
We will give you an honest steer based on what you tell us, not a package you have to commit to.
What to expect before, during and after your session
Every session follows the same simple shape: a quick check-in, focused hands-on work, and a clear next step before you leave.
Your session is delivered by Artur and Seb, our sports massage therapists. They work hands-on every day alongside our physio and strength teams, so you get skilled treatment and an honest read on what comes next.
Meet the team behind your sports massage
Your treatment is delivered by Artur and Seb, our sports massage therapists. They work hands-on every day alongside our physio and strength teams, so you get skilled hands and an honest read on what comes next, not just a generic massage.
Sports Massage Edinburgh Clients Trust
Real reviews from people who train, work and move better after treatment with us in Leith.
How to book your sports massage
Simple, transparent pricing. No packages you do not need. Book the session that fits, or set up a monthly slot if you want to stay on top of things.
Why choose Health by Science for sports massage
- Clinical understanding of pain and movement, not just soft tissue technique
- Integrated with our Physiotherapy and strength coaching teams
- You leave with clarity on the next step, not just a looser back for the afternoon
- Delivered by experienced therapists who work in a physio-led clinic every day
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you based?
Health by Science Physiotherapy, 100 Giles Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6BZ. Easy to reach from Leith, Edinburgh city centre, Stockbridge and Portobello.
Opening Hours.
Mon – Fri: 6:00AM – 10:00PM
Sat – Sun: 8:00AM – 8:00PM