Sports & Remedial Massage

Benefits of Massage -

Improves circulation, increasing the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
Hastens the removal of waste products.
Relieves muscular tension, pain and stiffness.
Helps soften and nourish the skin.
Causes slight exfoliation.
Helps soften fatty tissue deposits.
Improves skin tone and elasticity.
Enhances muscle tone.
Helps improve posture.
Helps prevent injury.
Improves recovery time.
Reduces DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
Is deeply relaxing and promotes general well-being.

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Remedial Massage

Stress and tension ?

Stiffness in the neck and shoulders ?

Aches and pains in the lower back ?

Hours in the office / at the computer ?

Driving up and down the motorway ?

Headaches or lack of sleep ?

Is this you?

Then you would benefit from a swedish or remedial treatment of the back, neck and shoulders - or why not treat yourself to a full body massage.

I will tailor each treatment to your individual needs and to how you feel on the day.

Sports

Massage

Involved in competitive sport ?

Play footie with the kids at weekends ?

The occasional jog / visit to the gym ?

Getting fit for summer ?

Suffering from a pulled muscle ?

Suffer from cramps ?

Injured whilst playing sport ?

Want to prevent an injury ?

Taking part in a sports event soon ?

Are you the sporty type?

Then you would benefit from a sports maintenance massage,

specifically tailored to the sport of your choice.

Or simply target that niggling injury.

All treatments are tailored to meet your individual needs

It is for this reason that I charge per treatment duration rather than for a 'type' of massage. I will use a variety of different techniques to treat your issues during a treatment and these may differ from treatment to treatment and from person to person.

I am qualified in the following styles and techniques of massage and may use a combination of them throughout your treatment...

Swedish Massage

This is probably the best know form of bodywork used today and its primary goal is to relax the body using the 5 basic massage strokes - effleurage (sliding/gliding), pettrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping), frictions (across or with the fibres) and vibrations/shaking. Pressure can be light or firm, warming up muscle tissue to relieve stress and tension, and gradually muscle 'knots' are broken down, this will help reduce pain and stiffness to muscles and joints.

Sports Massage

This is a physical treatment also know as manual or maniplulative therapy and is used on the musculoskeletal system to treat pain or injury. It generally helps to maintain the body in better condition, relieves sore and tight muscles, helps prevent injuries, improves mobility to muscle tissue, boosts performance and helps extend the overall life of your sporting career. It can be tailored specifically to the muscle groups used in different sports and can be relaxing or invigorating depending on the clients needs.

Deep Tissue Massage

As the name suggests this is a type of massage focusing on the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. It is especially useful when working on chronic aches and pains particularly to the neck and shoulders, upper or lower back and legs. The massage strokes are slower and pressure is deeper than a swedish massage and is concentrated in areas of pain and tension. At certain points in the massage some discomfort may be experienced - I call this 'grateful pain' - it kinda hurts a bit but feels good too, like the body wants the pressure to break down muscle knots and adhesions. You may feel some stifness or soreness the day after this type of massage, this is normal, known as part of the 'healing'crisis' and willl wear off as you move around and stretch out the muscles.

Posture Analysis

Posture analysis can identify imbalances in the body alignment which are often caused by bad habits whilst sitting at a computer, driving, carrying heavy bags or compensating for an injury etc. Poor posture can cause muscles to become shorter, tighter, weaker or lengthened. Minor problems can be identifed and corrected before they become a serious concern. I may give advise on stretches or exercises to help the problem.

Myofascial Release

This is a specialised manual therapy that releases restrictions within the fascial network, enabling suck, hardened and dehydrated areas in the body to become pliable, soft, mobile and hydrated. 'Myo' means muscle, and 'Fascia' means band, and fascia is a 3D continuous web which surrounds and infuses every muscle, tendon, ligament, bone and organ in the body. It provided cushioning and support allowing us to move safely and freely without pain. In its normal, healthy state, fascia is relaxed and wavy, able to stretch and move but if the body experiences either physical or emotional trauma it can loose its pliability and become hard and stuck .Myofascial Release involves gentle sustained pressure for maybe 2-3 minutes allowing fascia to elongate and relax. The client may not feel much happening, or may feel a warm or tingling sensation in the area of release. But they will feel relaxed and 'freer'.

Soft Tissue Release

STR is an advanced technique of assisted stretching to muscle fibres, fascia and tendons. It is used to return elasticity to an area by working with the knots or adhesions and areas of scar tissue. The technique basically involves creating a new or false 'origin' in a muscle, whilst the muscle is shortened. this is achieved by the therapist pinning an area with her hand/thumb. The muscle is then lengthened which has the effect of exceprting a stretch over a shorter length of muscle than would ordinarily be possible, therefore targeting a specific area within the muscle.

Muscle Energy Technique

MET is another advanced form of stretching muscles, this time using the clients own energy during the stretch which is facilitated and supported by the therapist. A gentle muscle contraction of the client is used to relax and lengthen muscles and normalize joint motion.

There are two types of MET -

*Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) - The therapist stretches and lengthens a muscle as it relaxes immediately after the client has contracted it. This helps to lengthen, relax and realign the muscle fibres.

*Reciprical Inhibition (RI) - This stretch uses the principle that as one muscle is contracted, its opposing, or reciprocal muscle must relax. The therapist has the client contract a muscle against resistance, which relaxes the opposing muscle.

Pre / Post Event Massage -

Takes place immediately before or after an event i.e. rugby/football match, run or a training session.

Pre - prepares the muscles for activity, improves flexibility and potential performance.

Post - stretches tissues, removes toxins and helps prevent DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).

I can treat you at home or may meet you at the event. Please contact me for details.

Prices -

1 hour massage treatment - £40

e.g. maintenance treatment of back, neck and shoulders

During your treatment I will mainly use a combination of Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage.
I am able to use some of the advanced stretching and releasing techniques to treat problem areas or injuries.

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