Not Sure Which You Need? Let’s Clear It Up

It’s one of the most common questions we get at Richard Higgs Physiotherapy — “Should I book a massage or a physiotherapy appointment?”
Both can help with pain, stiffness, and recovery, but they serve slightly different purposes. Knowing which is right for you can save time, money, and get you feeling better faster.

What’s the Difference Between Massage and Physiotherapy?

🧠 Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy focuses on assessing, diagnosing and treating the root cause of pain or injury.
Your physiotherapist will identify which structures are affected (muscles, joints, nerves, tendons) and why, then create a personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan to resolve it.

Typical physiotherapy appointments may include:

• Detailed assessment and movement testing
• Hands-on treatment (manual therapy, joint mobilisation, soft tissue release)
• Exercise prescription and rehab planning
• Posture and movement retraining
• Guidance for long-term prevention and recovery

✅ Best for:

• Sports or overuse injuries (shoulder, knee, back, ankle etc.)
• Persistent or recurring pain
• Post-surgery or post-fracture recovery
• Nerve-related pain (sciatica, carpal tunnel, etc.)
• Rehabilitation after an accident or fall

💆 Massage Therapy

Massage focuses on relaxing muscles, reducing tension, and improving circulation.
It’s often used to relieve tightness from stress, poor posture, or physical activity — and can complement physiotherapy perfectly.

Types of massage we offer include:

• Sports Massage — for athletes or active individuals to aid recovery and prevent injury.
• Deep Tissue Massage — to target stubborn muscle tension and trigger points.

✅ Best for:

• Muscle tightness or general tension
• Recovery after training or competition
• Stress and tension-related aches
• Maintenance between physiotherapy sessions

When to Choose Physiotherapy

Book a physiotherapy appointment if:

• You have pain that won’t go away or keeps returning.
• The problem started suddenly (e.g. back strain, ankle sprain).
• You’ve noticed swelling, weakness or numbness.
• The pain affects your movement, sleep, or daily function.
• You want to understand why the problem is happening and how to stop it coming back.

Your physio will perform a full assessment and decide whether massage should form part of your treatment — often combining both for the best results.

When to Choose Massage

Book a massage appointment if:

• You feel tight, sore or tense, especially after exercise or work.
• You’re not injured, but want to maintain muscle health.
• You’re training regularly and need quicker recovery.
• You’d like to reduce stress and improve circulation.
• You’re already seeing a physio and want a maintenance session in between.

Massage can be a brilliant way to support your physiotherapy programme, keeping muscles loose and improving recovery between sessions.

Combined Approach: Massage + Physiotherapy

Many of our clients benefit most from a combination of physiotherapy and massage.
At Richard Higgs Physiotherapy, our team work together to create integrated treatment plans that:

• Address the cause of pain (physiotherapy)
• Relieve tightness and tension (massage)
• Support ongoing recovery and performance

Whether you need focused rehabilitation or just want to feel looser and move better, we’ll guide you toward the right appointment type — and adjust it if your needs change.

Local Areas We Cover

Our clinic in Heald Green is easily accessible from Cheadle, Gatley, Handforth, Wilmslow, and South Manchester, with both physiotherapy and sports massage available in-clinic.