Deep tissue
Deep tissue massage
Full body, 80 to 90 minutes
A whole body treatment addressing all major muscle groups, which many clients find leaves them feeling looser and more relaxed.
£75 first visit · £65 follow up
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Senior therapist Richard Clarke, practising since 2007
Sports and deep tissue massage in Swansea
Richard Clarke’s sports massage research is published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and the International Journal of Sports Medicine. He has worked with clients ranging from world champion boxers to Olympic swimmers.
- Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Practising since 2007
- Level 4 SMA therapists
- Treated Olympic and Commonwealth athletes
Who we are
An established practice built on quality deep tissue work
Sports & Deep Tissue Massage Swansea is the home of quality deep tissue sports massage. Many clients find that regular treatment helps them move more freely and feel at ease in their own bodies again, from our base in Birchgrove across Swansea, Neath and Llanelli. We work with professional athletes, children, older adults and everyday people alike.
More about the practice
18years of hands on experience
Understood first
Every session begins with an honest conversation about what hurts and what your body needs, so treatment is never guesswork.
Hands on
Deep tissue techniques are applied exactly where they are needed, and exactly to the depth your body can work with.
Followed up
You leave with clear aftercare guidance that keeps the benefit working long after you step off the table.
Richard Clarke, senior therapist
The expertise behind the hands
Senior therapist Richard Clarke leads a practice built on results and published research.
Pitchside support for professional rugby and football has taught Richard exactly when to apply deeper techniques and when not to. Many clients find that judgement is what sets his work apart.
- 18
years of experience
A career spent treating professional and high performance athletes.
- Published
in two medical journals
His research appears in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and the International Journal of Sports Medicine.
- World class
athletes treated
World champion boxers, national, Commonwealth and Olympic swimmers, national teams and a taekwondo world champion.
Treatments
Three ways to feel better
Sports
Sports massage
Targeted half body, 45 to 50 minutes first visit, 35 to 40 minutes follow up
Focused on one area such as the back or the legs. A good fit for a specific area of tension, post exercise soreness or competition preparation.
£45 first visit · £35 follow up
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Relaxing
Relaxing massage
30 minutes or 60 minutes
A gentler, slower treatment available half body or full body, a good choice when you want to unwind rather than go deep.
£30 for 30 minutes · £60 for 60 minutes
View this treatmentConditions we help with
What brings people to us
Whether it is a back that has complained for years, a shoulder that will not reach overhead, or simply the stiffness that builds from a working day, these are the things we treat most.
Lower back painFrom a back that went suddenly to the ache that has crept in over years.Sciatica and referred leg painPain travelling from the back or glutes down into the leg.Neck and shoulder painStiffness and aching built up from screens, driving and long days in one position.Tension headachesHeadaches starting in tight neck and shoulder muscles rather than the head itself.Upper back painThe knot between the shoulder blades that never quite releases.Rotator cuff painA shoulder that hurts reaching overhead, common in overhead sport and work.Frozen shoulderA shoulder that has become painful and stiff to move in every direction.Desk and posture painAches that follow from how you sit, drive or hold a phone through the day.Arthritis pain and stiffnessHip and knee joints that ache, stiffen and need time to get going.Joint pain during menopauseAching joints and disrupted sleep, and how treatment fits alongside everything else.Returning to exercise over 40What to expect when you start training again, and why everything aches at first.
Not sure which applies to you? Ring us and describe it in your own words, and we will tell you honestly whether we can help. 07971 742797
Areas we cover
Where our clients come from
Everything happens at our Birchgrove clinic in Swansea, two minutes from Junction 44 of the M4, and at Jamie's own room in Llanelli. Between them they cover a wide stretch of South Wales.
Swansea
City centre, Uplands and Brynmill
For students carrying heavy bags, professionals at a desk all day, and runners training for the half marathon.
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Neath
Rugby and hard graft
Backs and shoulders dominate here, which is what you would expect from a town built on rugby and trades that load the body daily.
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Llanelli
A running town
Jamie Stedman treats from his own room at Dafen Park, working with Llanelli Athletics Club and the town's running community.
View this areaWe also treat clients from across the surrounding area. If your town is not listed, ring us and ask rather than assuming either way.
What to expect
A clear, calming session from start to finish
01
Assessment first
We talk about what hurts, what you have tried and what you want from the session before any work begins.
02
Focused treatment
Deep tissue techniques are applied to the right areas, at the right depth, and adjusted to suit your body.
03
Aftercare guidance
You leave with simple, practical advice so the benefit keeps working in the days after your session.
Who we help
Massage that meets people where they are
Many clients come to us with muscle and joint stiffness, and with new or longstanding muscle injuries. Whether you are a competitive athlete or simply feeling stiff and tight, we work with anyone who wants to move and feel better.
Professional athletes
Competitors who need precise, deep work to stay at their best.
Gym goers & runners
Post exercise soreness and overworked muscles after every season or block.
Office workers
Hours at a desk leave backs and shoulders stiff and tight.
Everyday people who are stiff and tight
For anyone wanting to ease stiffness and move more freely, whatever lies behind it.
The team
Skilled hands across South Wales
Senior therapist
Richard Clarke
Swansea and Neath
18 years of experience, an honours degree in sport and exercise science, and research published in two medical journals.
View profileTherapistRyan Herbert
Birchgrove, Swansea
Qualifications and background to be confirmed.
View profileTherapistJamie Stedman
Llanelli
Level 4 sports massage therapist since 2014, also qualified in Swedish body massage, and a personal trainer and sports scientist.
View profileReviews
What clients say
I've been having massage with Richard for a number of years and would recommend him to anyone who trains regularly and has sports injuries. He works his magic every time.
I find Richard's massage great value for money and a nice deep massage. I've been coming to Richard for 10 years and am still fit and supple. It has helped me to still play rugby at the age of 52.
I came to Richard firstly when I pulled my hamstring playing football. I've continued to have treatment with him regularly over the past few years and have had no injury problems.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is deep tissue sports massage?
Deep tissue sports massage uses slower, firmer pressure to work into the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Many clients find it helps ease tightness and stiffness after sport or daily strain.
Does deep tissue massage hurt?
You should feel firm pressure, and some discomfort is normal on the tightest areas, but it should never be truly painful. Richard judges exactly how much depth your body can work with and adjusts throughout the session.
Who is this suitable for?
Nearly everyone. We work with professional athletes, children, older adults and people who sit for long hours. Every session is adapted to your needs, your history and how your body responds on the day.
What should I wear?
Wear whatever is comfortable. You remain covered throughout and only the area being worked on is exposed, so many people simply wear shorts and a t-shirt.
How do I book a session?
Book through the form below or call 07971 742797. If the call is not answered, please leave a message, therapists are often mid session and will call you back.
Which areas do you cover?
We currently serve Swansea, Neath and Llanelli, with more areas coming as the team grows. We are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm and closed on Sundays.
Find the room
Two minutes from Junction 44
The treatment room sits in Birchgrove, a short drive from the M4 and easy to reach from across Swansea, Neath and Llanelli. Tell us what you need help with and Richard will come back to you to arrange a time.
Ready to book your session?
Choose a time that suits you, or call us and we will find one that works.