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.

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.

01/09/2025

Conquering IT Band Syndrome

IT Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse injury for runners and cyclists. It happens when the iliotibial (IT) band (the thick tissue running from your hip to the outside of your knee) becomes tight and inflamed, causing pain on the outer knee.

Why it happens:

Tight or overworked muscles (TFL, glutes, quads) pulling on the IT band
Repetitive stress from running or cycling
Poor biomechanics or muscle imbalances

How sports massage helps:
✅ Releases tension in surrounding muscles
✅ Reduces strain and inflammation in the IT band
✅ Improves circulation for faster healing
✅ Restores flexibility and balance in the hip & knee

Massage works alongside stretching and strengthening to speed recovery and reduce the risk of ITBS returning. For athletes struggling with persistent discomfort, it can be a game-changer in getting back to pain-free movement.

29/08/2025

Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge

Blencathra dominates the view from the A66. That sharp saddle skyline is hard to miss. It is one of those fells that demands attention, and Hall’s Fell Ridge is perhaps the most exciting way up.

This route is short, steep, and spectacular. It is about 7km with 700m of climb. Perfect for a summer evening blast, especially if you are chasing a sunset.

The Ascent starts in Threlkeld, you head gently through the village before the ridge rises straight ahead. Hall’s Fell does not waste any time. Steep steps and rocky scrambles pull you onto the ridge almost immediately. It is hands-on in places, airy in others, and always rewarding with wide views opening up behind you over Clough Head, Great Mell Fell, and the Pennines.

As you climb higher, the ridge narrows and the scrambling gets more exciting. If you are comfortable with exposure, it is exhilarating without ever feeling overly technical. By the time you reach the summit plateau, the whole Lake District opens up. Skiddaw to one side, Derwentwater and the western fells to the other. It is one of the finest viewpoints in the Lakes.

The descent: you can carefully retrace your steps down the ridge, but the best way is to cut across the summit and head down Blease Fell. It is grassy, fast, and fun. A brilliant contrast to the technical climb up.

A Note of Caution!
Hall’s Fell Ridge is not for everyone. If you are not happy with ridges or exposure, the Scales Fell path offers a safer alternative to reach the summit and still enjoy the views.

For those who love a bit of scrambling and big mountain atmosphere, Hall’s Fell Ridge is a true classic and one for every fell runner’s list.

25/08/2025

Shin splints and sports massage
Shin splints are a common overuse injury for runners, often caused by:

Repetitive stress on the tibia
Poor running mechanics
Worn-out trainers
Overtraining

First steps in treatment usually include rest, ice, and stretching. But sports massage can add real benefits:

✅ Loosens tight muscles in the lower legs (tibialis anterior/posterior & calves)
✅ Reduces stress on the shin bone and improves flexibility
✅ Boosts circulation – bringing oxygen and nutrients, removing waste products
✅ Speeds up recovery and reduces inflammation

As recovery progresses, massage can also break down scar tissue and adhesions, helping restore smooth movement and preventing long-term discomfort.

Prevention matters too – regular massage helps keep muscles flexible, reduces imbalances, and lowers the risk of shin splints returning. It’s a great tool for staying strong, running pain-free, and recovering faster after tough sessions.

22/08/2025

Latrigg is one of the best short runs in the Lake District if you want maximum reward for a relatively small climb. At just 368 metres high, it’s a summit that offers some of the finest views over Derwentwater and the surrounding fells, for just a few minutes hard work.

This route takes the steep way up. It’s only about 2.5km of uphill, but don’t be fooled – it’s a leg-burner. The gradient bites quickly, and it’s easy to feel like you’re marching rather than running. It’s a great place to test yourself: try continuous running to the top for a serious fitness check, or use the lower section for hill reps.

Once you’ve hit the summit, the hard work is done. You’re rewarded with around 2.5km of downhill and flat running. The descent is brilliant fun: wide, zig-zagging paths that let you open up your stride and really fly. Just watch out for walkers and runners grinding their way up as you’re hurtling down!

It's beautiful in all seasons!

18/08/2025

What is an ACL injury?
The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) sits inside your knee, and attaches the shin bone to the thigh bone, and stops the shin bone sliding forward. It’s easily damaged by twisting, sudden direction changes, or heavy tackles. A tear is very painful, often causes swelling, stiffness, and makes the knee feel unstable.

What to do first:
✅ Get it checked straight away (A&E or physio)
✅ Rest, elevate, and support the knee

How massage helps:

*Relaxes tight muscles trying to protect the joint
*Reduces pain and stiffness
*Improves circulation to speed up healing
*Helps calm the body after the shock of injury

If you’ve injured your ACL or are recovering after surgery, massage can be a great support in your rehab. Book in and let us help your recovery.

15/08/2025

Fancy a shorter route?
Carrock Fell - the short version. This route is only 5km, which, since it was tipping it down by the time we got to the summit, was long enough.
Parking at the base of the rock falls, you climb the steep rocky gully, ascending 473m, passing the beck (which we hadn’t ever seen full until this week), the sheep (they might have moved!), then it opens up to the cairn at the top. It’s hard going at times, but if you look back, you can enjoy the strangely flat lands out towards Greystoke Forest.
From there, there are lots of route options, but this route headed North, and descended out of the wind, enjoying a runnable track back down to Carrock Beck. Once you join the road, it’s a short trot (well, just over a kilometer) back to the car. It’s a good evening run, or early morning run, or in fact an anytime run! It’s especially good in the holiday season when the roads, fells and tracks are a little busy….

11/08/2025

Just finished a race?!
Here’s how to take care of your body in the days that follow:

🛌 Rest – You’ve put your body through a lot (muscles and maybe even records!), so give it time to recover. Plan for some early nights or lazy mornings.

🥗 Eat well – Your body needs proper fuel to repair. Think lean protein, plenty of veg, and some healthy carbs. Maybe skip the deep-fried stuff for now…

🤸‍♀️ Stretch gently – Keep moving, but don’t push through pain. Your muscles are healing, so now’s not the time for deep stretches.

👣 Check for injury – Sore legs? Normal. Limping, redness, swelling, or hot spots? Not normal. Come see me or a physio if anything feels off.

💆‍♂️ Book a massage – A post-race massage can help calm overworked muscles, reduce inflammation, ease tension, and get those feel-good endorphins flowing. I’ll be gentle — promise.

Need help recovering? Message to book in and let’s get you feeling human again!

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10/08/2025

Tried something new today, a scramble, on Jack's Rake - it's grade 1 (the easiest one) but I was still out my comfort zone! That said, I really enjoyed it, definitely Type 2 fun. The path was wider than I expected, with less exposure than I thought, and the scrambling/climbing was made easier with really easy hand holds, and grippy rocks. Definitely give it a go! The dog, however, will stay at home for the next one, she was surprisingly reluctant to make the jumps up the rocks, though she did when we got the treats out... She's nothing if not fickle.

Address

Howard Park, Greystoke
Penrith
CA110TU

Website

https://lakelandsportsmassage.com/

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