Sports Performace Therapy
When Your Performance Comes First
Sports Performance Therapy
At The Body Sage Clinic in Bedford, Sports Performance Therapy is designed for very active people and athletes who want their body to move better, perform better, and hold up to the demands they place on it.
This is not injury treatment in the traditional sense. It is a performance and function focused therapy aimed at identifying and addressing the movement restrictions, tissue limitations, and recovery demands that often sit just below the surface, long before an injury fully develops.
Whether you train recreationally, compete regularly, or simply take your physical health seriously, Sports Performance Therapy exists to keep your body working efficiently so your training and performance are not held back by avoidable limitations.
What is Sports Performance Therapy?
Sports Performance Therapy is a hands-on treatment focused on movement quality, recovery, and proactive injury prevention rather than pain-driven injury care. It is built around two common applications that fall under the same treatment approach.
Performance and Functional Therapy
This side of Sports Performance Therapy focuses on resolving functional issues that limit performance. These may include restricted range of movement, fascial tightness, poor load tolerance, or areas that fatigue or tighten prematurely during training.
Treatment may include sports massage, targeted deep tissue work where appropriate, myofascial cupping, mobility work, and movement-based techniques. The goal is to restore efficient movement, improve tissue quality, and reduce the risk of future injury by addressing problems early rather than waiting for pain to force the issue.
Pre- and Post-Competition Massage
Sports Performance Therapy also covers pre- and post-competition massage, a long-established part of sports massage practice.
Before competition, treatment is typically light to moderate in pressure and focused on circulation, muscle readiness, and maintaining movement quality without compromising recovery or performance. After competition, treatment focuses on recovery, circulation, and reducing post event muscle soreness.
While deep tissue techniques are usually avoided close to competition, there are situations where rules need to be adapted to help someone perform. This is part of the clinical judgement that comes with working with experienced therapists who understand sport and performance demands.
How Sports Performance Therapy fits with our other treatments
Sports Performance Therapy sits alongside Injury Therapy, rather than above or below it. The difference is intent.
- If you are in pain, injured, or dealing with an acute or chronic problem, Injury Therapy or Injury Therapy Plus is the correct starting point, whether you are sporty or not.
- If pain is not the primary issue, but performance, movement quality, recovery, or prevention is, Sports Performance Therapy is usually the better fit.
There are no wrong choices. If you book Sports Performance Therapy for an injury, we will still treat the injury appropriately and guide you toward the best ongoing option.
IS THIS THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR YOU?
Sports Performance Therapy FAQs
Still have questions? Call us for a quick chat.
How is Sports Performance Therapy different from sports massage?
Sports massage has become a broad umbrella term that can mean many different things. Sports Performance Therapy is more specific in its intent. It is aimed at improving function, movement, recovery, and performance rather than treating pain driven injuries.
Is this only for elite or competitive athletes?
No. It is for anyone who trains seriously, exercises regularly, or places high physical demands on their body. That includes gym based training, running, cycling, team sports, and recreational competition.
Will this help prevent injuries?
Yes. Many injuries are preceded by movement restriction, tissue overload, or poor recovery. Addressing these early can significantly reduce injury risk.
Does Sports Performance Therapy involve deep tissue massage?
It can, but deep tissue work is used selectively. Close to competition, lighter techniques are usually more appropriate. Outside of competition phases, deeper techniques may be used where they support function and recovery without compromising performance.
What techniques might be used in a session?
Depending on the therapist and your needs, sessions may include sports massage, targeted deep tissue work, myofascial cupping, mobility work, movement-based techniques, and performance focused soft tissue therapy.
What if I actually have an injury?
We will still treat you. If pain or injury is the primary issue, we may suggest Injury Therapy or Injury Therapy Plus moving forward, but you will not be turned away or left untreated.
Meet Your Sports Performance Therapists
Trevor Hardwick – Founder & Lead Therapist
Trevor is the founder of The Body Sage Clinic and has over 15 years’ experience as a therapist, alongside a long-standing background in health and fitness. His approach is practical, hands-on, and grounded in evidence, with a focus on understanding why pain or dysfunction is present rather than simply treating symptoms. Trevor specialises in Injury Therapy, Cupping Therapy, and Dry Needling Acupuncture, and works with both acute injuries and more persistent, unresolved issues. While he continues to treat clients, he now also oversees the clinical direction and day-to-day running of the clinic.
Therapies: Injury Therapy, Sports Performance Therapy, Cupping and Acupuncture.
Indianah Lazuli - Chronic Pain Specialist
Indianah works with people experiencing persistent pain, recurring problems, and acute injuries, as well as those who want to feel more comfortable and confident in their body. Her approach is calm, person-centred, and focused on meaningful, long-term change rather than short-term relief alone. Using deep tissue massage and an integrative therapeutic approach, she considers how stress, lifestyle, movement patterns, and nervous system load influence pain. Indianah also offers structured care programmes for clients who want more consistent support beyond one-off sessions.
Therapies: Injury Therapy, Sports Performance Therapy, Deep Tissue Sports Massage, and leading the Chronic Pain Management Programme.
Eli Nselala - MSK Specialist
Eli holds a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation and works with both athletes and non-athletes to support recovery, performance, and rehabilitation. His style is hands-on and practical, combining manual therapy with a strong understanding of musculoskeletal function and rehab principles. Eli uses a wide range of tools and techniques, including deep tissue massage, IASTM, and rehabilitation-based approaches, and enjoys working with complex injuries as well as helping active people stay resilient and performing at their best.
Therapies: Injury Therapy, Injury Therapy Plus, Cupping, and Sports Performance Therapy.
