Tag: muscle

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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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.

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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

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