Clinical Sport and Remedial Massage
Clinical sport and remedial massage therapy combines general and deep tissue massage with specific stretching and muscle contraction techniques to improve muscle health. I also combine some myofascial release techniques which works on the fascia connective tissue found around our muscles. The benefits of this style of mixed therapy is felt quite quickly due to its direct approach and is suitable for people of all ages.
I work quite differently compared to many sports massage therapists because I look at how the whole body is moving, not just your area of issue. After a detailed consultation including a postural assessment in some cases, I use a combination of treatments which leads to a better long term solution and works especially well in chronic conditions.
Sport and remedial massage therapy is strongly associated with athletes but it can be used to treat a wide range of non-sport related problems. It is essential for the treatment of postural and musculoskeletal problems which can be caused by occupational habits, stress, injuries (sports and non-sports) and poor exercise technique. With regards to occupational habits, these are common problem areas:
- Back of the neck into the base of the skull – can lead to tension headaches, stiff neck with limited range of movement
- Upper shoulders and tightness and pain between the shoulder blades, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries
- Lower back pain, sometimes as low as the base of the spine, limited flexion of sections of the spine
- Hip pain, sometimes sciatic pain causing pins and needles and numbness.
- Knee pain
- Ankle weakness, foot pain including plantar fasciitis
- Arm, hand & wrist repetitive strain injury / carpal tunnel syndrome, including tennis and golfer’s elbow
This list is not final, as many soft tissue problems and conditions can occur from the stresses and strains of normal life. For the regular gym user or sports person, sport and remedial massage should be used in conjunction with training schedules as this therapy can bring awareness of the recipient’s own musculoskeletal dysfunction. Treatments taken regularly will help improve training, enhance performance, aid in recovery and reduce the potential for injuries.
In summary, the main benefits of clinical sports and remedial massage are:
- Massage can encourage the opening up and stretching of the body’s permeable membranes and force a better flow of interstitial fluid and blood under greater pressure. This eliminates waste more efficiently and generally improves the health of tissue in the longer term.
- Improve the extensibility of scar tissue which naturally forms when muscle fibres get torn.
- Remedial massage can help loosen adhesions and ‘knots’ in muscles as well as the connective tissue surrounding them reducing pain and tightness.
- When we’re stressed our bodies release stress hormones which increase heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate and shut down metabolic processes such as digestion, reproduction, growth and immunity. Being constantly stressed can eventually run down the body which is when illness can take hold. Massage has a calming effect on the nervous system which allows the recipient to relax. De-stressing and relaxation is important to allow the body to begin to heal itself.
- Improve recovery times and help prevent further injury.
- Remedial massage can help identify and improve postural problems.
Treatment times are 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes. A full consultation will be taken at the first appointment. You will be asked about medical / health issues you are currently being treated for but all information is held in strict confidence. Here are some testimonials of people I have treated for both postural problems and sports training / injuries:
