Lakeland Sports Massage

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Lakeland Sports Massage

Claire is a Level 5 qualified Sports and Remedial Tissue Therapist, working in Cumbria. She now lives and works in the Lake District.
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Claire is a Sports Massage therapist having previously worked at HPO clinic in Harpenden, Rebourn Physio and London Marathon. An experience Runner and Ultra Runner, Claire has an understanding of massage relevant to people who enjoy sport.

30/11/2025

Thankful for the chance to get out on the fells today. A brilliant combination of Sunday + Sunshine + Snow + Rob + Time = reset + rest

10/10/2025

Castle Crag is a neat little hill tucked at the southern tip of Derwentwater, and it’s one of my go-to walks when visitors are up. It’s short, scenic, and packed with atmosphere — think mossy woodland, slate stacks from old mines, dripping caves, and wide-open views that feel much bigger than the hill itself.

We parked in Grange, where there’s easy access to the track leading up. It’s a gentle start, tree-lined and looking properly autumnal, with leaves underfoot and golden light through the canopy. The climb itself isn’t long, but it’s slatey and a bit slippy in places, so take it steady, especially with a mixed group.

As you zigzag your way up, the views open up in every direction, back over Derwentwater, across to Catbells, and down the Borrowdale valley. We took a detour off the main path to explore the cavernous mine entrances, where water drips through the slate and the echo makes it all feel a bit like a secret hideout.

The descent eventually loops back to the same path you came up on. Back in Grange, there’s a great little café that does proper ice cream and cake, essential post-walk recovery, obviously... even in October.

06/10/2025

If you’ve strained a muscle, sprained your ankle or getting over an injury, PEACE and LOVE has great advice. You may be more familiar with RICE, or even PRICE, (might you even have heard of POLICE?!) but the advice has moved away from RICE, as ice is no longer recommended.

Even taking anti-inflammatories is now no recommended in the early days of injury! First aid after an injury is really important to promote recovery.

PEACE and LOVE is rather long winded, but it has you all covered. The picture above describes it quite well, and LOVE in particular focuses on how to go back to activity following an injury. If you need support or guidance, drop us a line, and we’ll help get you back on track.

P - Protection - avoid activities that irritate the injured area

E - Elevation - when you can, elevate it so that any swelling reduces.

A - Avoid anti-inflammatories - this is becuase they reduce nutrients getting to the area

C - Compression - use a banadage or tape to help reduce swelling

E - Education - learn about your injury, and how to avoid it!

L - Load - Not too much too soon, and don’t work through pain.

O - Optimism - being optimistic has a positive effect on recovery

V - Vascularisation - moving helps to increase nurtrient delivery to the injured area

E - Exercise - if you can’t do your main sport, keep moving another way, it’s good for it!

03/10/2025

This week’s walk is a guest post, written and recommended by Simon Tull! You can follow him on Instagram , and see more of his big adventures.

The Deepdale Horseshoe starts from the Patterdale Hotel, which has both a reasonably sized car park just opposite, in addition to a bus stop served by regular buses from Penrith. Arnison Crag is swiftly summited and offers fantastic views not only over Ullswater, but of the other five fells that are visited as part of this horseshoe route. The path continues towards Birks. Although not marked on Ordnance Survey maps, a faint track offshoots at NY388142, taking you directly up the hillside before topping out fairly close to the summit.

From there, the pull towards St Sunday Crag is inescapable as you follow the track, which becomes well pitched after merging again with the path from earlier on. If the weather is clear, then the summit of St Sunday Crag is a perfect vantage point from which to view its more famous neighbours, Helvellyn and Striding Edge - which will no doubt be teeming.

The descent to the col at Deepdale Hause offers some respite before the ascent onto Fairfield. There are sections of scrambling during this stage of the route, though there are plenty of tracks that avoid most of the hands-on work. The route then briefly merges with the course of the Fairfield Horseshoe over what will likely be the two busiest summits of the day, Fairfield and Hart Crag, before veering north-east onto a long undulating ridge.

Now on the final stretch, the sixth and final summit, Hartsop Above How, is passed as you gradually drop down to the hamlet of Bridgend. A short walk along the A592 will take you back to the Patterdale Hotel.

29/09/2025

Why do we feel pain, even when the injury is better?

Ever wonder why you're still in pain even though you’re “better”?
That pain might not be from tissue damage anymore — it could be your nervous system being overprotective.

Pain is a warning system, not just a damage report. Over time, your brain can learn to link certain movements, thoughts, or places with pain — even when nothing's actually wrong.

The good news?
Your brain can also learn to turn the volume down.

How to start retraining your pain system:

✔ Gentle movement – helps desensitise the system and release feel-good endorphins
✔ Reflect on your pain – what it means, and how you respond to it
✔ Ask the right questions – like:
• “How do I know if I’m safe to move?”
• “Could my pain system be overreacting?”
• “How can I start changing my pain response?”

If you’re dealing with persistent pain, you’re not alone — and you’re not stuck.
Understanding your pain is the first step to changing it.

26/09/2025

This week’s 10km trail adventure kicks from Springs Road, Keswick, and takes you on a gentle climb up to Walla Crag. The route is mostly easygoing, though I’ll admit I did some walking as the incline steepened near the top — nothing wrong with pacing yourself on those sharper sections!

At the summit, you’re rewarded with unbeatable panoramic views across Derwent Water, stretching all the way to Scafell Pike. It’s a stunning spot to pause, catch your breath, and soak in the scenery — definitely worth every step of that climb.

From there, the trail rolls gently downhill to the picture-perfect Ashness Bridge, an iconic Lakeland landmark, and the run down is anther favourite, really fun to gallop down.

The final stretch meanders back alongside the shores of Derwent Water, offering lakeside running with plenty of chances to spot wildlife or just enjoy the calm waters before you return to Keswick.

This route is perfect if you’re after a scenic, relaxed run with a mix of gentle climbs, beautiful views, and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

22/09/2025

Osteoarthritis & Massage: What You Need to Know

Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, especially in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. While it’s a long-term condition, massage therapy can be a helpful part of managing symptoms.

Here’s how massage can support you:

🔹 Boosts circulation — more oxygen and nutrients to the joint
🔹 Releases tight muscles that develop from compensating
🔹 Improves flexibility by easing tension around stiff joints
🔹 Reduces pain signals and promotes deep relaxation

Over time, this can help you move with less pain and more freedom.

Tips to Support Your Joints at Home:

✔ Gentle activity like walking or swimming
✔ Daily stretching for muscles around the joint
✔ Heat therapy (e.g. warm baths or heat packs)
✔ Focus on good posture throughout the day

Massage won’t “cure” osteoarthritis, but it can make daily life more comfortable and help you stay active and mobile.

19/09/2025

Ullswater Way

It's nearly time for the Ullswater Way Challenge, which is coming up on 1st Nov, so I thought this week’s run should feature the Ullswater Way route. It’s a solid 20 miles (about 32km) with just under 1000m of climbing — not a technical run, but there's enough elevation to keep things interesting.

Starting from Pooley Bridge, the route loops around Ullswater, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lakes, running on a good mix of trails, forest tracks, and lakeside paths. The route is well signposted, since it’s the official Ullswater Way, but the Nav4 challenge adds in a couple of summit detours — namely Glencoyne and Gowbarrow Fell — that give a bit more punch and great views back over the lake.

Along the way, you’ll pass through a few small villages, like Patterdale and Glenridding. Both have handy shops and cafes perfect for a pit stop — whether you want a hot brew, or a proper pie.
There are a few steady climbs, especially when you’re heading up Glencoyne and Gowbarrow, but nothing too technical — more about endurance than scrambling.

You’ll get some classic Lake District views — Ullswater shimmering below, forested slopes, and open fell tops where you can really breathe in the fresh air. The route also runs close to some beauty spots, like the Aira Force waterfall, what a route!

If 20 miles sounds like a bit of a stretch, there’s a reliable bus service that circles Ullswater, so you can easily plan to run half the route and catch the bus back, or break it up however suits you.

It’s a lovely route for any time of year — runnable in winter or summer — and makes for a proper day out in the hills. If you’ve got a few hours free, it’s definitely worth lacing up and giving it a whirl.

15/09/2025

Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow? Here’s What You Need to Know

Both Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow are common overuse injuries — even if you’ve never touched a tennis racket or golf club! In fact, I see them most often in plumbers, painters, joiners... anyone who has to grip heavy tools, day in, day out.

🔹 Tennis Elbow affects the outside of your elbow
🔹 Golfer’s Elbow affects the inside

These conditions are typically caused by repetitive strain from gripping, lifting, typing, or twisting — not just sports. The tendons that attach your forearm muscles to your elbow become irritated and inflamed, leading to a lot of pain and stiffness, which makes it harder to grip things.

💆‍♀️ How Massage Can Help:
Massage therapy works by:
➡️ Releasing tension in the forearm muscles
➡️ Reducing pressure on irritated tendons
➡️ Increasing circulation to promote healing
➡️ Improving tissue flexibility and mobility

Over time, this can support the healing process, reduce pain, and restore normal function. Massage is especially effective when used alongside stretching, strengthening, and changes to movement habits (like improving your workstation setup or modifying your grip).

💡 Tip:
If you're dealing with elbow pain that’s worse with gripping or lifting, don’t ignore it. Early intervention — even just adjusting your routine and getting the right soft tissue care — can make a big difference.

12/09/2025

Loughrigg Fell may be a small fell, but it is full of character and perfect if you want something short, simple, and rewarding. At just 335m, it is very achievable, whether you are heading out for a quick evening leg-stretch after work or adding it onto a day trip for afternoon tea in Grasmere.

From the White Moss car park the route is straightforward and accessible. The paths guide you through a mix of woodland and open fellside, with views that open up quickly over Rydal Water, Grasmere, and across to the higher fells beyond. Even on a damp September day, the grassy slopes felt kind on the legs, and the well-known caves along the way added plenty of interest (though they were busy with visitors).

Running here is not always the easiest during school holidays when the car parks and paths are full, but outside peak times it is a gem. The climb is short and steady, the summit views are beautiful, and the galloping descent back down is pure fun, a reminder that fells do not have to be big to bring a smile.

08/09/2025

How Sports Massage Can Help Prevent Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are some of the most common problems athletes face. They develop when repetitive movement stresses the same tissues without enough time for recovery. Examples include:

Tendinitis – inflammation of a tendon through repeated strain
Stress fractures – tiny cracks in bone caused by continuous impact
Shin splints or IT band pain – often from muscle tightness and imbalance

How does massage help:
Sports massage doesn’t just treat pain after it appears – it helps prevent these injuries in the first place. By releasing tight muscles and improving flexibility, massage reduces the extra strain placed on tendons and joints. Increased circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, speeding up repair and helping the body adapt to training loads.

For runners and outdoor athletes:
Regular sports massage can highlight early warning signs – stiff calves, tight hips, overloaded quads – before they turn into injuries. This means fewer setbacks, smoother movement, and quicker recovery between sessions.

Prevention is always better than cure. Build massage into your routine, keep your muscles healthy, and your body will give you the thumbs up to keep going strong.

05/09/2025

Gowbarrow Fell

This week’s outing was a short and easy one, but absolutely worth it. Gowbarrow is one of those fells that proves you don’t always need a big day out to enjoy a proper adventure. At just over 7km, it is perfect for time-limited evenings or an early morning run before work.

The route starts with around 2.5km of undulating trails through the woods. The ground rises and falls just enough to get the legs working, while the trees keep you sheltered and the air cool. Before long the path opens out and you are rewarded with stunning views over Ullswater, one of the real highlights of this run.

From there, the climb to the summit is short and sharp. A steady push brings you to the trig point at the top, where you can pause to take in wide views across Ullswater and into the central Lake District fells. It is a reminder of how much scenery you can enjoy in such a compact route.

The descent is where Gowbarrow really comes into its own. The first section is rocky and technical, great for practising quick feet and agility. Then the ground smooths out, opening into flowing, runnable trails where you can let the pace build. The last 3.5km back to the car seems to disappear in no time at all.

Today we were treated to perfect conditions: clear skies, sunshine, and birdsong all the way round. Sometimes it is these shorter runs that give you exactly what you need — a reset, fresh air, and a chance to enjoy the Lakes without it taking all day.

Address

Howard Park, Greystoke
Penrith
CA110TU

Website

https://lakelandsportsmassage.com/

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