Sports and deep tissue massage physiotherapy - PHOENIX REHAB Physio & Hand

Written by Zita Sham, Fairuuz Saleh and Shiv Mohan Banka, Principal Physiotherapists at Phoenix Rehab.Clinically reviewed by Louise Yow, Principal Physiotherapist and Director, AHPC A1300363H.Last reviewed 28 September 2026.

Here at Phoenix Rehab, we have a focused sports and deep tissue massage service, provided by clinician senior massage therapists who have been working alongside our senior physiotherapists for years.

What makes sports and deep tissue massage effective compared to the usual “cheap” massage is that we come from a medical clinical perspective of deep tissue release and sports massage AND we work synergistically with a team of senior physiotherapists, hand therapists, and occupational therapists who are licensed under the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC – a branch of Ministry Of Health Singapore).

The Phoenix Rehab team are comprised of very senior physiotherapists who have studied human anatomy, movement and physiology, and graduated with thousands of hours of hands-on clinical practice and experience. As a collective whole, we can confidently say that we understand the human body, pain and movement much better than anyone else.

Our senior therapists will be able to prescribe and perform a varied range of massage techniques to improve the function of affected muscles and soft tissues in daily tasks and activities.

We assess, diagnose, and treat specific tender and tense areas strategically, with minimal discomfort for maximal muscle release and restoration to normal length.

(Normal length = good and normal performance)

You see, regular sports and deep tissue release massage helps to

dissolve tight knots and normalize muscle fibers
align the superficial, middle and deep layers of muscles, connective tissues, and soft tissues.

This decreases the pain associated with movement, improves performance with movement, and helps you to feel good (and confident).

These strokes are similar to clinical massage, but they tend to be deeper, slower and penetrative, that is, focused on specific tender, tight and tense points all over the body. Done regularly, they will keep your muscles and movements free of tight/abnormal muscle knots and adhesions.

ADHESIONS RELEASE

Adhesions are “sticky” situations that cause soft tissues to stick to something/each other, and they negatively restrict how soft tissues (such as muscles, ligaments and tendons) move. This may cause:

abnormal/unnatural pain or discomfort with movement
“locking” or limited movements
swelling and pain.

This causes discomfort and limited mobility, function and confidence.

Regular sports and deep tissue release massage physiotherapy will break down and loosen these adhesions, which then relieves pain and improves normal muscle and soft tissue gliding movements.

Our senior massage therapists do this by applying regulated deep tissue pressure to your muscles and connective tissues.

Most of our sports and deep tissue massage therapy patients report

an immediate improved active range of motion
that their muscles and soft tissues feel less tight
that they feel lighter and able to move better.

We recommend patients to regularly engage in sports and deep tissue release massage at least once per week, because:

tight muscle knots happen every day
adhesions occur every day
shortening of muscles happens every day.

That’s why it’s an ongoing event to manage, treat and prevent the tight muscles, adhesions and short muscles from getting progressively worse – hence the need for at least once per week treatment.

Regular sports and deep tissue massage physiotherapy is useful for some of the following conditions:

Muscle stiffness, aches and pains such as back aches, neck pains, calf tightness, hip tightness, etc.
Worries, stress and anxiety
Chronic and long term pain
Consistent headaches
Decreased mobility and difficulties moving
Chronic illnesses
Muscle and joint disorders
Stroke and other neurological problems
Post surgery (after wounds are healed, but can start with the secondary/non-surgical site first)
Injury rehabilitation
Before and after sports/sporting events such as marathons, basketball, football, rugby, triathlons, etc.

If your back, neck, shoulders, hands and hips are aching and seem to be tired/tight/sore, or if you have an aching back/neck from prolonged sitting, having regular sports and deep tissue release massage physiotherapy will help to provide you with pain relief and a quicker recovery.

Where are you with this right now?

1. It is settling on its own

Most injuries and most flare-ups settle over weeks with sensible load management and a return to normal movement. Improvement is judged over a month, not over a day, and good days and bad days inside that are usual. If you are doing more this month than last, and sleeping better, it is behaving the way it should. You do not need us for this, and we would rather say so.

2. It has stopped improving

You have adapted without noticing. The other side takes the load, you plan movements you used to make without thinking, and you have quietly dropped things you used to do.

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. That is the gap worth measuring, and it is not measured by how you feel on the day.

The Stalled Recovery Review is three appointments over three weeks with the same therapist, because what a joint does under load cannot be read in one visit. The first finds what is limiting it. The next two measure how it responds. $690, nett, no GST, which is three appointments at $230.

3. You have had surgery, or you have a date

Recovery after an operation has a shape, and knowing which stage you are in tells you whether you are on it. See the recovery programs, hand and physiotherapy, or the four stages and what each one works on if you are not sure which applies to you.

All of it runs on the same four stages. The Phoenix Recovery Protocol explains what each stage works on and what you have to meet to move up. No referral needed to start.

Next step

What our patients say

Google reviews from our clinics in Singapore.

       
 Excellent5.0545 reviews
 5.0
 Excellent545 reviews
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   Micah 
 34 days ago
 
 
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Amazing experience with Phoenix Rehab, was assisted by Mavis. She’s very kind and professional and did thorough check on my wrist. I feel very comfortable during the process.

I went in for thermoplastic splint, and everything went smoothly. She was able to address my needs on my left wrist sprain.

They were prompt with appointment process and inquiry. Also the clinic is very close to Tanjong Pagar MRT. I highly recommend!
  
 
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   Chiky Phan 
 38 days ago
 
 
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Fist time doing ultrasound for my tennis elbow!! Let’s hope it gets better the next few weeks!! Thank Mavis Tham!!
  
 
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   XIN WANG 
 55 days ago
 
 
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Great treatment from my therapist. My painful wrist felt a lot of relief after the session. I’m glad I can slowly get back to doing my usual activities without constant pain.
  
 
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   Abby Lee 
 71 days ago
 
 
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Very helpful and friendly !
  
 
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   雪梅Cui 
 109 days ago
 
 
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The masseur is very professional and provides excellent service ，yati is very good!
  
 
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   Tra Nguyen 
 200 days ago
 
 
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I wasn’t able to close my fingers due to an injury. Nurul at Phoenix Rehab has helped me tremendously with my recovery process. I have been able to resume my daily activities and exercises after only a few sessions. Nurul has been very professional and positive throughout the entire process. Thank you so much for your help!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Juzer K 
 238 days ago
 
 
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Huge shoutout to Yuna Zhang from Phoenix Rehab for helping in my recovery from golfer’s elbow 🙌

I walked in with persistent elbow pain that was affecting workouts and everyday tasks, and Yuna immediately made me feel confident I was in the right hands. She took the time to properly assess my condition, explain the root cause, and tailor a treatment plan to my specific needs instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.

What I really appreciated was how personalised every session felt. The exercises she gave me were practical, easy to follow, and actually worked. Within a short time, the pain reduced significantly and my strength and mobility improved much faster than I expected.

On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable and affordable, which made committing to recovery much easier.

Professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring — highly recommend Yuna at Phoenix Rehab if you’re dealing with hand-related sports injuries 💪
  
 
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   Fazal Hanafi Chaudhry 
 322 days ago
 
 
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I enjoy coming to Phoenix rehab as they offer a wide variety of services. I had a finger accident and was working with a very experienced hand therapist. Place is clean and comfortable.  Staff were friendly and appointment was on time
  
 
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   Stella Yam 
 463 days ago
 
 
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Very good
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Juliana 
 465 days ago
 
 
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Have both physio n Tcm visits here, highly recommend!
  
 
 
  
 
 
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Find out which stage you are in

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. One Assessment and Treatment is a single 45-minute appointment at $230, nett, no GST. Your therapist finds what is actually limiting you, treats it in the same appointment, and you leave with your current stage and a written plan.

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