Sports Massage is the efficient and controlled manipulation of the body’s muscles and connective tissues. It is one of the oldest forms of therapy that is highly effective in treating both acute and chronic conditions of the body’s soft tissues. Differing from Swedish massage, Sports massage movements are applied at a deeper and firmer level inducing greater stimulation of the body’s major systems. It can be used as a tool to help relax tired and sore muscles, or can be used to break down scar tissue, muscle adhesions and knots, to re-educate posture or promote recovery from injury. The treatment also provides a thorough assessment of joint and muscle movements and a comprehensive range of stretching and strength exercises. This can aid in the rehabilitation of affected problem areas between treatments and for your long-term health and well-being.
Despite its name, Sports Massage can benefit everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you sit at a desk all day, play with the children at home, work in the garden or at the building site; or whether you play sport competitively or at any level , Sports Massage is for you. We’ve all suffered at some point from headaches, stress, sore muscles, sports and general injuries (old and new). All of these can be attributed to the condition and state of our muscles and Sports Massage can help.
So what can sports massage do for you? The many benefits can include; improved circulation and a more relaxed general well-being, which in turn can help to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. These combined can promote a better mental state, reducing stress and anxiety.
Skin can benefit from an increase in its elasticity and improved general condition, along with improved muscle tone. Sports Massage promotes the removal of waste products (including swelling) from the body and provides the skin and muscles with increased levels of oxygen and nutrients to promote a healthy condition.
Massage also helps to relieve the effects of muscle spasms and tension. It aids in breaking down scar tissue and adhesions, relieving pain. Reduced muscle tension promotes an increase in the range of movement of the body’s joints, improving posture and flexibility and therefore reducing the risk of further injury
Sports specific treatments and benefits include; all of the above, but you can benefit further from the timing of a treatment. This includes:
- Pre-competition Massages which aid in warming and mobilising the muscles to enhance your performance.
- Post-competition/training Massages will help to minimise the after-effects of a hard session/competition. Toxins can be removed, reducing the effects of stiffness and fatigue, maintaining muscle mobilisation and speeding-up your recovery period.
- Maintenance Massages throughout the training season help to maintain or enhance performance and reduces the risk of injury, or re-injury.
- Rehabilitation Massages promote recovery during and after an injury. A treatment will also include stretching and strengthening exercises specific to your sport.
“Sports massage is just one of many treatments which positively affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nervous system of the body, which are collectively known as Soft Tissue Therapy. Some of the other therapies include Myo-Fascial Release, Fascial Manipulation, Trigger Point Therapy, Active Soft Tissue Release.”
Prices
60 mins – £45.00
30 mins – £30.00
For further prices see individual therapists pages.
This manual therapy technique identifies a limited or painful movement with a specific localised area of the fascia. Once a limited or painful movement is identified, then a specific point on the fascia is implicated and, through the appropriate manipulation of this precise part of the fascia, pain can be reduced and movement can be restored.