Sports Massage

Having obtained my BTEC level 6 with a distinction, I am qualified to the highest level of clinical and sports massage available in the UK.

As part of my qualification I undertook a successful research project looking into the benefits of Myofascial Release following Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction for skiiers and snowboarders.

Sports Massage is a popular choice for many athletes and is often recommended by coaches and therapists alike. It's regarded by many as an essential component to a wide range of exercise and training regimes.

Sports massage can be used as preventative maintenance, to address pain, or to assist in recovery and rehabilitation. The techniques used can also help with relaxation and bring about a feeling of physical and emotional well-being. You certainly don't need to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits sports massage can provide!

So what's involved in a Sports Massage therapy session?

After taking an initial case history, at the beginning of each session I will assess your range of motion, this allows me to pinpoint restrictions in the soft tissue enabling me to tailor the massage to your exact needs at the time. This allows me to work more effectively with the intention of going straight to the source of the problem. My aim is to work with you towards your specific goals which may include increased range of motion, reducing stiffness for greater flexibility and pain reduction.

Sports Massage has been shown to be highly effective for a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

         • Chronic Pain (eg neck, shoulder and low back pain)
         • Whiplash
         • Strains, Sprains & Tendinopathies
         • Knee Pain
         • Tennis or Golfer's Elbow
         • Frozen Shoulder
         • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
         • Sciatica

To help with these conditions I use a wide range of massage techniques including trigger point therapy, myofascial release, eastern techniques, and stretching including PNF, AIS, STR and passive.

Trigger Point Therapy: When the fibres of a muscle become stuck and won't release they can be felt as knots and they often refer pain elsewhere in the body. Trigger point therapy involves using various techniques to relieve these restrictions and increase blood supply to the area which in turn can help to flush away toxins.

Myofascial Release aims to restore movement to the connective tissue or fascia which can become rigid or stuck due to a variety of reasons. Fascia surrounds every structure in the body, therefore restrictions can have a profound effect.

PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) involves taking the limb into a passive stretch after which the client performs several isometric contractions which generally lead to greater flexibility and an increased range of motion.

AIS (Active Isolated Stretching) is a cardio work out for the client as it involves actively taking the limb through a whole range of motion, with an assisted further stretch by the therapist at the end range. It can be very effective for strengthening and improving flexibility.

STR (Soft Tissue Release) is a very specific stretching technique incorporating movement and manipulation which involves isolating parts of the muscle in order to try to release restrictions in the soft tissue.