Sports Massage
What is soft tissue massage?
Massage increases blood flow. Often in areas of the body where you have tension or a muscle spasm, the blood does not flow as well as it should. As a sports massage and remedial massage therapist I can locate the area - or often areas - that are not performing or moving as well as they might, and by increasing the blood flow through the particular muscle fibres I can aid your body's ability to heal. Lots of therapists claim to be able to do all sorts of things, but actually we enable the body to heal itself .
Sports massage works really well alongside your physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor, because the more healthy and supple your muscles are the more likely we are going to be able to sort out your issues. I get people from all walks of life coming to me - from professional athletes to retired school teachers often people with neck ,shoulder and back pain from sitting at a desk or in a car all day.
Have you ever woken up unable to turn your head? Or with sudden or chronic back pain, sciatic pain, tension headaches, teeth grinding, vertigo, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel or knee pain? Or is it just the stress of life making your body feel unable to move?
If you are a keen amateur sports person, sports professional, training for an event, or just trying to keep fit and loose some weight, then rewarding your muscles on a rest day to enable your training to be more effective, can increase your times, improve your performance and keep you injury-free making sure you can keep training pain free.
I have used sports massage to treat hundreds of cyclists, runners, hockey players, horse riders, rugby players, footballers, tennis players, rowers, gymnasts, dancers, netball players ........ the list goes on. But not only that - a large number of my clients are stuck at a desk all day, or in a car and unable to exercise like they used to. It is often the case that these people suffer more pain as we know exercise helps reduce pain, and regular massage can help free up the muscles so they can start to function properly again and achieving their goals.
Some of your questions answered
WHAT ARE MY QUALIFICATIONS AND INSURANCES?
I have a level 5 diploma in sports remedial massage . We are now referred to as soft tissue therapists. I qualified in 2009.
I have to do ongoing professional development as part of my association's requirements.
I am a member of the SMA (Sports Massage Association).
I am a member of the ISRM (Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage).
I am fully insured and first aid trained.
Diploma in traditional Chinese medicine with body harmonics
WHAT DO I WEAR?
It depends on what you are needing help with and how comfortable you feel. Ideally to access your back and neck I would like you to remove your shirt or T-shirt - ladies, I don't ask you to remove your bra. When you are lying face down on the couch I cover you with towels. Ladies, if I need to access underneath your bra area I will ask if it is alright if I undo it.
If we are also working on the legs and glutes (bum muscles) please wear loose shorts, or if you are happy to go to your underwear that is fine. At all times you are kept decent and covered with towels.
* please note underwear must be worn at all times.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?
Well, how long is a piece of string? That really depends why you are coming - if you have an ongoing muscular issue (chronic) or a sudden onset of pain (acute), if you are training for something, your finances, or part of your health care routine.
I tend not to make people book back in. I may suggest I need to see you again to get full benefit and I won't stop you if you want to! What I do say is that it is so much easier if I am keeping you fit and healthy and keeping your aches and pains at bay, rather than trying to fix a broken body. In an ideal world, to keep you ticking over and well, once a month is fab. I have some clients who come 2-weekly, some monthly, some 3-monthly and even the odd one I see once a year. If you come to me with a specific problem we may sort it in 1 to 3 sessions.
What I aim to do is teach you how to know what your time scale is and to know how to look after your body.
I will also tell you if I think you may need to talk to your GP, physio or other professional.
WHEN SHOULDN'T I HAVE A MASSAGE?
If you are in any doubt ask your GP .
If you have recently had blood clots, thrombosis, major heart surgery, epileptic fits, diabetic episode, please talk to your GP and/or surgeon before booking .
I have a chair for pregnant women.
If you have recently had surgery on a muscular or skeletal injury I will not be able to work directly on the area but I can aid with all the muscular tensions that come with the rest of the body, and I am happy to work along side your physiotherapist. Do please ask your GP or surgeon if concerned.
WHAT IF I AM PREGNANT?
Do please talk to your GP. Yes I can treat you and I can use the chair for seated massage, so no pressure is put on your bump.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER?
Sports remedial massage is not a stroke and a tickle. If you haven't had a sports massage before let me know, you may well feel sore for a day or two afterwards. This is called DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) Don't panic - this is normal. It feels a bit like you do after going for a run when you haven't run before, though some people do not get this.
CAN I GIVE A DIAGNOSIS?
NO. Only GPs, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths are allowed to diagnose. I can talk through what's going on with you and help you work out who you may need to be referred to if I cannot help.
Sports Massage Therapists are NOT legally allowed to diagnose.
Any further questions please message me and ask