By Tim Done, Sports Massage Therapist
Injuries don’t just happen to athletes. They happen to everyday people, often from the smallest things.
Over the last 10 years working as a sports massage therapist, I’ve treated everyone from elite competitors to people just trying to get through the day without discomfort. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: prevention is just as important as treatment.
Whether it’s tech neck from too many hours at a screen, recurring knee pain from weekend football, or postural issues from driving all day, the root is often the same. Your body is shouting before it breaks. We just need to listen earlier.
What I See Every Day in the Clinic
The most common problems people bring to my clinic aren’t traumatic injuries. They’re chronic, low-level patterns of tension and dysfunction that build over time. The kind that sneak up on you until you realise you can’t turn your neck without wincing.
Here are some of the most frequent issues I work with:
- Lower back pain (especially from prolonged sitting or poor lifting habits)
- Neck and shoulder tightness (often postural or stress-related)
- Knee pain (from overuse, underuse, or previous injury compensation)
- Tendon issues (especially Achilles, elbows, and knees)
- Post-operative stiffness or mobility challenges from old injuries
Many people come in thinking they need to be “fixed.” But often, what they really need is a smarter way to move, recover, and maintain their body between sessions.
My Approach: It’s Never Just One Tool
When it comes to treatment, I don’t rely on one magic technique or device. I draw from a range of tools depending on what the client needs on that day, in that moment.
This can include:
- Soft tissue massage
- Myofascial release
- Kinesiology taping
- PNF stretching
- Strengthening and movement guidance
And a mix of recovery tools like compression sleeves, percussive therapy, heat, and Tend
Because the truth is, no single technique works for everyone. Some days it’s about loosening tissue. Other days, it’s about calming the nervous system. And often, it’s about helping the person trust their body again.
Where Tend Comes In
I came across Tend a few years ago and, to be honest, didn’t expect much. I’ve tried dozens of gadgets over the years. Some useful, some a complete waste of money.
But Tend was different.
It wasn’t trying to blast the pain away. It wasn’t noisy or intimidating. It was precise, calming, and most importantly, it worked. I used it on my neck, where I’d held tension since a motorbike accident 30 years ago. The spasm I’d grown used to simply stopped.
Now, Tend isn’t the only tool I use, but it’s one I return to again and again. And here’s why:
- It’s gentle enough for hypersensitive clients
- It’s targeted and great for small stabilising muscles
- It encourages nervous system relaxation rather than tension
- It gives people a way to help themselves between sessions
That last one matters. Because recovery isn’t about what happens in the clinic. It’s about how people move, feel, and care for themselves at home.
Tips for Staying Injury-Free (From Someone Who Sees It All)
If you want to avoid the common pain traps I see every week, here’s what I always recommend:
- Move often, not just hard
It’s not about crushing a workout. It’s about frequent, quality movement, especially when you sit for a living. - Strengthen what supports you
Core, glutes, and scapular stabilisers aren’t just gym talk. They protect you during daily life. - Listen early, not late
Don’t wait for pain to become unbearable. That tight shoulder is speaking to you. - Recover with intention
Use tools like Tend to relax, restore, and reconnect with your body. A few minutes a day makes a difference. - Don’t forget your breath
Proper breathing resets tension better than most stretches. It’s one of the most overlooked tools in recovery.
Final Thoughts
Everybody is different, but everyone deserves to feel good in theirs.
Whether you’re dealing with a specific issue or just want to move with more ease, the answer usually isn’t more effort. It’s better understanding, a softer approach, and smarter tools.
Tend is one of those tools. It’s not a fix-all, and it’s not trying to be. But in the hands of a therapist or in your own hands, it can be the difference between managing pain and actually moving through it.
If that sounds like something you need, I’d say give it a go. Your body will tell you the rest.