Category: Treatments

5 Ways Sports Massage Benefits Your Body

by traceytigwell, posted in Treatments

Contrary to popular opinion Sports Massage can benefit anybody. Most people assume that it is only for athletes, however in combination with other sports exercise or physiotherapy it plays an important role in preventing and recovering from injury.

Many people suffer from minor and chronic injuries resulting from their job whether this is due to a repetitive movement such as a painter reaching overhead to paint or someone not moving very much at all such as a desk-based office worker. Sport massage can aid in relieving pain in the affected areas of the body whilst also helping to correct postural imbalances and poor mobility and movement patterns.

Sport massage focuses on muscles that have seen a large degree of stress and use, often to the point of overuse. Normally, these muscles have seen repetitive and aggressive movement as part of training, sport or competition.

Below I’ve outlined 5 of what I consider the main reasons Sports Massage can benefit anybody’s body:

Releasing Muscle Tension 

Regular sports massage can be one of the most effective means for releasing muscle tension which has built up through constant regular activity or lack of exercise (if you don’t use it you lose it!). It can help prevent overuse injuries, reduce pain and stiffness and relieve tensions in muscles that may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments and tendons. 


Reduce Recovery Time

Sports massage increases blood flow quickly removing waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid (which are natural by products of exercise) but can build up in the muscles after exercise.  

Increases Circulation

Sports massage helps to increase blood flow to the muscles.  During a sports massage, blood vessels dilate, and this allows for the removal of waste products and nutrients to pass into and out of the muscle more effectively. If you are training regularly, this increase in blood flow can vastly aid with recovery ready for your next training session.

Flexibility

Stretching improves circulation which also prevents the breakdown of adhesions helping prevent and heal injuries.  

Scar tissue is the result of previous injuries or trauma and can affect muscle, tendons and ligament flexibility.  This can mean that these tissues are prone to injury and pain.  Massage may not rid the body of the scar tissue completely but should make the tissue more supple and flexible and therefore able to function normally.

Relaxation

Relaxation massage can be beneficial when applied to tight muscles. Tight muscles can occur for a number of reasons such as stress, overuse and injury. Relaxation massage can stimulate blood circulation via vasodilation which can increase the temperature of tissues. Increasing the temperature of these tissues can promote relaxation which can also relieve tight muscles. The body is only as strong as the mind, so having a strong mind that is relaxed and focused is an edge in your daily life

Sports massage is now recognised by many in the training industry and I would recommend anyone who is training or exercising on a regular basis to strongly consider Sport Massage therapy as part of their exercise program.

If you’re struggling with your posture or have tension or pain in your muscles, then feel free to get in touch with us today so we can use the methods of Sports Massage to help you.

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Sports massage

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

Despite its name, Sports Massage is for both sportspersons and non-sportspersons alike. Our treatments work on improving the quality of the soft tissues within the body. The blood supply is increased, releasing tension, flushing through lactic acid and realigning scar tissue. We work to redress imbalances built up through training and everyday activities, allowing our patients greater freedom of movement and consequently, a better quality of life.

Numerous techniques are used throughout the treatment to ensure the best results with minimal discomfort.

We work deeply and instinctively, responding to the muscles and soft tissues in the body; tailoring each treatment to the patient’s physical needs or injuries.

Prices and booking

Our therapies

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

What defines our treatments is the quality we bring to the relationships with our clients and the quality of our touch. Each treatment is unique. The following categories are for guidance.

Deep Tissue massage

Our deep tissue massage gives your body the weight it needs to relax. If you’re achey from exercise or travelling, tense from work or looking for an all-over unwind this is the massage for you.
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Sports massage

Sports massage can assist in the prevention and management of sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries.
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Swedish body massage

A traditional body massage – whole body or choose the areas you need. Relaxing, rejuvenating, de-stressing or invigorating – say what you need.
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back massageBack massage

If your back is tired, aching, stiff and sore massage can help. Poor posture, mental tension and injury can make life unpleasant
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Holistic massage

When you need to look at the whole picture, our holistic massage puts you at the centre. We offer you trust and support to help you move forward we listen, understand and get a feel for what you need.
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Remedial Massage

Remedial massage is your choice when you know something isn’t right. We can help you understand what’s happening and get you on the road to recovery.
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Massage for Two

Share your massage experience by receiving your treatments in the same room at the same time. For couples or friends, perhaps a special occasion. Available only at The Practice Rooms, Bath. Please book in advance.

Call 07941 094318

Prices & booking

What people say

We use an intuitive approach to massage. Each session is individual – designed around your needs.

Our therapists

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

Lindsay Hughes MTI – massage therapist

I have been in private practice since graduating from Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork’s holistic massage diploma course in 2016. My interest and specialism is in Deep Tissue massage, the way it works and how I can use it to bring the most benefit to my clients.

Specialisms: deep tissue massage, sports massage, remedial massage

SoniaSonia Meadows MTI – massage therapist

I began my first steps in massage training with Nigel in 2013 before qualifying in Holistic Massage through the Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork in 2014.

I undertook additional training focusing on specific aspects of the body and emotional processing giving me a wide range of skills and techniques to draw upon. I enjoyed working at major festivals and events.

I love that every client is completely unique with their own challenges and requirements informing their session. I enjoy the combination of working with my hands but also using my mind and intuition together with being present in the moment with the client providing the treatment they have asked for.  Working in massage is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done and has really opened up my world to many fantastic experiences and people.

Specialisms: holistic massage, deep tissue massage

Mel Phillips MTI – massage therapist

My approach is integrative, person-centred and bespoke – bringing together my range of skills as feels most agreeable for each client I meet – promoting relaxation and balance while seeking to address specific aches and pains where needed. 

I graduated from the Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork in 2000 and have undertaken a series of further qualifications, including sports massage and reflexology. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with queries.

Specialisms: holistic massage, deep tissue massage

Giacomo Sandri MTI – massage therapist

I strongly believe that everyone is capable of obtaining optimal health and live a fulfilling happy life. My path as a therapist started in 2017 after graduating in Herbal Medicine at the University of Lincoln. I then became a First Aid Responder in August 2017 and obtained the diploma in Holistic Massage at the Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork in 2018. My experience as a therapist comes from my home-based clinic and festivals and events in UK and Europe. During my career I realised how close the relationship between body and mind is and especially how the alteration of one has a strong consequence on the other. My approach to the client is therefore holistic and person-centred. I give lot of importance to the psycho-emotional dynamics and how they affect the body.

Specialisms: holistic massage, deep tissue massage

Tracey Tigwell SMA – massage therapist

My main area of interest is in sports-related injuries and in 2018 I graduated from the University of Bath gaining Level 4 in Sports Massage Therapy, becoming a member of the Sports Massage Association.

Despite its name, Sports Massage is for both sportspersons and non-sportspersons alike. My treatments work on improving the quality of the soft tissues within the body. The blood supply is increased, releasing tension, flushing through lactic acid and realigning scar tissue. I work to redress imbalances built up through training and everyday activities, allowing my patients greater freedom of movement and consequently, a better quality of life.

Specialisms: sports massage, remedial massage

Nigel Williams MTI – owner and massage therapist

For me, each session is unique. Everyone is different and their body changes from one session to another. I don’t know what will unfold during the course of a session, but I trust my intuition based on my connection with my client.

I think it’s important to really engage with people. My massage is at its best when I understand the individual and their needs. Einstein said “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask”.

I love teaching massage, and watching people gain the confidence to use it. I teach the principles that I use in my own work.

Mentoring students is also very rewarding. Supporting them on a personal journey which asks us to examine our values as well as learning how to work with individuals and their bodies.

Specialisms: holistic massage, deep tissue massage, remedial massage

Last minute availability

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

We sometimes have appointments at short notice. Please use the form below to request details.

We will respond as soon as possible with any suitable options.

Please bear in mind you will need time to make a payment and have your booking confirmed.

Helping you find the off switch

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

If relaxing was easy no-one would suffer from tension, but the reality is that when we get stressed, our body is tight and our brain won’t stop. Being able to relax can seem a million miles away.

Laura (not her real name) was suffering stress at work that she couldn’t let go of. Thouhts were going round in her head at night – trying to find solutions and blaming herself for not being able to sort it out. Her shoulders were stiff and sore, she was starting to get headaches and she had a week off work due to stress.

Making the decision to come for massage was a turning point – recognising that she wasn’t coping well and opening to receiving help.

Laura’s first session established a direction. Her therapist explored her needs and suggested approaches.

They agreed her massage should focus on two areas. Firstly, working with the tightness in her body. Not trying to force out the knots, but to help connect her physical tightness with the part of her brain that’s triggering it – sending the signal back that it’s okay to let go. Secondly, the treatment helped Laura support her relationship with herself by finding ways for her to bring her attention to her body.

She left feeling calmer with a little more space in her body and her mind. She also had a sense of what it feels like to relax to take away with her and an experience of connecting with her self that will help her find her own direction through a difficult situation, helping her direct her energy away form criticising herself and into caring for herself.

Back massage

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

If your back is tired and aching massage can help. Poor posture, mental tension and injury can lead to back pain.

Book in before it gets worse and we’ll help you turn things around.

Before we begin we’ll take some details. Tell us what you’re feeling and a brief history of how it’s developed.

The first stage of the treatment covers the whole back. It gets you settled and relaxed and introduces movement to warm and soften the muscles and tissues,

In stage two we go deeper, building a picture of the areas of tension as we work in to them. Here you start to notice the effect of the massage. You’ll be more aware of the specific areas and aiming to stay relaxed through the massage.

Stage three gives specific treatments to affected areas. That might be deeper, using more pressure, stretching, trigger point release, working with connecting tendons or fascia. You’re going to feel this – in a good way!

At the end you’ll have a couple of minutes to relax before moving. There’s time to talk about what we’ve found and the next steps.

It’s great if you can take it easy afterwards. You’ll be feeling chilled out.

Please call if you would like to discuss a treatment.

Preparing for a performance event

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

So you’re training for the big day. Can massage help?

People often think a massage will be useful after a big event, but how can it improve your performance? Building a few massage treatments into your training plan might just help you keep on form.

So how can massage help?

1. During a performance event you are probably going to push your body beyond what you’ve done in training. Something is going to limit your performance. Massage can help you deal with problems as they arise in training so they don’t come up and bite you when it really matters.

2. To work efficiently muscles need to engage and release. You may be putting a lot of effort into engaging muscles, but not thinking about them releasing. In its optimum condition muscle become soft when it relaxes – feel the difference in you biceps as you tense and release. A massage which pinpoints tight muscles can help release them and, importantly, give you the know-how to work with them yourself.

3. Your massage therapist can help you tune in to and understand the feelings you get in your body and advise on the right course of training. If you get a pain, for example, should you ease up your training, stop all together or carry on with your plan? What stretches or specific exercises might help?

4. Most events require strength and suppleness. Rigidity anywhere in your body will hold you back. The same applies to poor posture.

5. and last, but not least, you will feel better, happier and more relaxed. But that’s for wimps, right?

And if you want a massage afterwards to celebrate your achievement, well you deserve it.

Prices and booking

Remedial massage

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

Remedial massage (aka clinical massage) works with whatever problem or problems you are suffering. This could be lower back pain, limited movement in the shoulder, difficulty sleeping or headaches.

We look at the whole picture, listening to what you tell us and using what we feel to inform our direction. We work with you to create a massage that best suits your needs.

We’ll use direct massage techniques where we find muscular related problems and more soothing and nurturing techniques as required. Where a site is too painful to work directly we can use other strategies.

Remedial massage can also be used to investigate problems and help you decide on any further treatment. Discussing problems during the treatment can be helpful. Attitudes to health and well-being and your relationship with your body can be useful topics of conversation. Where we offer advice it will be constructive and realistic.

Our approach to remedial massage

Our massage is not painful. We believe that pain is part of the cycle of tight muscles. We want to create movement and flexibility without triggering a counter-productive pain response.

Our approach is flexible, informal and open.

  • Understanding. It’s important to find out what’s happening.
  • Effective massage.
  • Recommendations. We can help you understand your symptoms and suggest the next steps.

If you need more advice, please make use of our free 10 minute phone consultation. Call 07941 094318.


Call now 07941 094318

Preparing for a performance event
Clinic locations
Prices & booking

Deep tissue massage

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

When you need something more

Deep tissue massage works with the muscles and tendons which hold posture and allow everyday movement.

Consider deep tissue massage if

  • You are having difficulty with everyday activities
  • Your shoulders are stiff from being at a computer
  • Your hips are stiff from sitting or driving
  • You have lower back pain
  • Your posture is causing you problems
  • You’ve tried stretching but it doesn’t seem to help

Our deep tissue massage is effective because:

  • We listen to what you say
  • We listen to how your body responds
  • We judge the right pressure for maximum benefit
  • We give your body the time it needs to release
  • We look at the wider picture

Deep tissue massage is directed where it is needed, most frequently in the neck, back, shoulders or legs. The aim is to reduce any pain and increase freedom and mobility. It also brings a deep sense of release – mentally and physically.

Why deep tissue massage?

Tension in muscles restricts movement and can lead to recurring aches or a sudden sharp pains if an injury occurs. Aches usually build up over a period of time due to a repeated everyday action or posture. Pain is the result of damage to the soft tissue. We work carefully around pain – finding ways to ease the tension that causes it without inflaming the problem.

Sitting at a desk, computer or laptop and driving can all put the body into a strain position which is held for a long period leaving the muscles no chance for recovery. Massage makes you feel like you are alive again.

Our approach to Deep Massage:

  • Understanding. We want to find out what’s happening in your body.
  • Pain-free massage. We believe that pain is part of the cycle of tight muscles. We want to create movement and flexibility without triggering a pain response.
  • Depth. We go deep by carefully using and maintaining the correct balance of pressure and movement.
  • Recommendations. We can help you understand the symptoms you’re experiencing and suggest the next steps.


Call now 07941 094318

Prices and booking

Weekend Massage in Bath

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

Receive a massage that listens to your individual needs and pay no more than you would for a spa treatment. Read more about our approach.

Weekend prices
One hour

65
90 minutes

90
Massage for Two
One hour

140
90 minutes

190

How to book

  1. Call, text or email to check availability and tell us what you need
  2. Pay online to secure your booking
  3. Receive confirmation by text and information by email
  4. Look forward to your massage

Our massages are by arrangement. Get in touch now and we’ll plan something for you.


Call now 07941 094318

Email: enquires@naturaltouchbath.co.uk

Full price list

Massage therapy

by Nigel Williams, posted in Treatments

Many of us turn to massage when we have a particular need – usually physical, often with a mental/emotional element.

At Natural Touch we consider ourselves primarily as therapists – working with people. Massage is our method of engagement.

As you would expect, we work with physical tension, restrictions, mobility and pain. We’re also concerned with stress, your relationship with your body and your response to injury or illness. We’re interested in life choices and their influence on health and happiness. We offer a space to concentrate on you and your well-being.


Call now 07941 094318

Email: enquires@naturaltouchbath.co.uk