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Sports and Remedial Massage 

Although the name Sports massage suggests that it is specifically for those people who are sporty, this is not the case. It is a general name for the type of massage it is. It is not a gentle, beauty-type massage as you may receive in a spa. It is a deep tissue treatment targeting specific muscles in order to release tension, reduce pain and help rebalance the muscles in the body.  

 

Regular sports massage can help your body perform more efficiently and speed up recovery from injury. It is suitable for anybody who uses their bodies repetitively and can be a good preventative treatment. Sports massage can also be called "remedial massage" because it can help to correct weaknesses and tensions that have been building up in the body for some time. As there is often a need to "undo" damage that has built up over time. 

 

it is usually advisable that a course of treatments is undertaken. Excessively tight muscles will need more than one session to release fully. A course of treatments can vary from one every few days to every few weeks, depending on your circumstances. When no injury or condition is evident, sports massage is a valuable tool for preventing injury and aiding your training programme.

TECHNIQUES

 

I use a range of techniques in my massage sessions depending on the particular presenting problem.  Having discussed and located the areas of discomfort or joint disfunction, I will work closely with the client's feedback to target areas that can be treated to give relief and increase your range of movement.  

 

I usually like to start the massage with effleurage (gentle strokes) and pettrisage (from the French "to knead") where I use wringing, kneading and skin rolling techniques to warm up the muscles. Following this, I may use Soft Tissue Release (STR) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) or Neuro Muscular Technique (NMT) targetting particular muscles.

 

Each massage is tailored specifically to the client and the client's presenting problems.

 

HOW MANY MASSAGE SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

 

This will depend on what we find. Once a postural assessment has been taken, the diagnosis made, and the results of the first massage known, we can work on a treatment plan. You may need just one session or you may need more.  Some clients come to me on a weekly basis for a maintenance massage and some for a course of treatment for a particular problem.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T GET BETTER?

 

If after 6 sessions there is no improvement and we feel there is an underlying problem that cannot be completely resolved with massage alone, I will consider referring you on to another specialist.  For example, to your GP, to an osteopath, physiotherapist or an orthopaedic surgeon.

MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE

 

Medical Acupuncture is a technique that I may suggest would be helpful in treating your particular problem.  

 

The muscles contain highly irritable localised areas called Trigger points. Trigger points are felt by the therapist as tender nodules within a localised, taut band of muscle. 

 

When an acupuncture needle is inserted into a trigger point, it sedates the trigger point and the pain it causes.

 

It has "localised effects" on the body and the insertion of the needle sends information up the nerve which supplies that particular area.  There is a supression of the pain signal in the dorsal horn which controls sensation. The messages then travel up to the brain stem. By stimulating the brain's power to reduce the perception of pain, the pain lessens.  

 

What sorts of conditions

respond to acupuncture?

 

Acupuncture is effective in

a wide range of painful

conditions and is commonly

used to treat

musculoskeletal pain;

eg back, shoulder, neck

and leg pain.

 

It has been successfully used to treat headaches, migraines, trapped nerves, chronic muscle strains and various kinds of rheumatic and arthritic pain.

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ELECTRO ACUPUNCTURE

I am now offering Electro Acupuncture to clients should I feel it would benefit their condition. Electro acupuncture has been proven to be successful in treating the pain and discomfort caused by osteoarthritis, tendonitis, chronic lower back pain, ankle sprains and other conditions. 

​

I will always discuss this with you and ask your permission before using EA in a treatment.

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