Sports Massage (also known as Remedial Massage) is an extremely effective bodywork therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the muscular-skeletal system. A constant build up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on the joints, ligaments, tendons as well as the muscles themselves – the primary aim of Sports Massage is to restore and maintain full functionality to the muscles so increasing joint range of movement. Injuries, sprains and strains sustained through sport or day to day activities can also be resolved by Sports or Remedial Massage, however please do contact Anita for pre-treatment advice.
Regular treatments can greatly help reduce the possibility of injury by helping to eliminate lactic acid build up and keeping the muscles fibres in good condition. Sports Massage can temporarily improve circulation and lymphatic flow bringing about more general health benefits. It can also simply ease tension that has built up in the muscles by remaining immobile for long periods of time in a job that is sedentary – you do not have to be an avid sports person to benefit from Sports Massage! These niggles can be extremely painful and may seriously affect a person’s occupation, sport or quality of life.
Other benefits of regular Sports Massage treatments are that it can provide relief to postural problems, help accelerate recovery from training, enable increased training loads, increase self awareness & trouble shoot potential problems, restore muscle balance, provide rehabilitation following injury and, promote relaxation. Remedial Massage is as therapeutic as Holistic Massage but is not as relaxing as you will be asked to give feedback throughout the treatment. Sometimes ‘grateful pain’ can be felt during the treatment, known as such because one is grateful to receive the pressure at the point where pain is felt. Where appropriate Anita will also use the following techniques during your treatment:
Trigger Point Therapy (TPT) – releases extreme areas of tightness found within the muscles.
Soft Tissue Release (STR) – used to stretch both the fascia and muscles.
Myofascial Release – used when working with posture related problems and injuries. This treatment works on the myofascial tissues which form tendons, support and form muscles, support our internal organs. The myofascial system can be ‘snagged’ by injury or ‘pulled’ by bad posture – imagine the effect of a pulled stitch in a sweater. Myofascial Release works on this system to warm up and allow the fabric of the body to slowly return towards it’s former elasticity.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) – a gentle, yet hugely effective stretching technique to help strengthen the muscles and break down scar tissue and adhesions. It encourages a state of relaxation that allows the muscle to stretch beyond its current ability, but does not allow flexibility beyond normal range for that person.
Hands Free Massage – relaxing deep pressure applied using forearms and elbows.
Postural Assessment – normally carried out following a discussion between you (the client) and Anita as to the relevance for you. An assessment is made of your posture, which may have been pulled out of alignment by muscular imbalance. This assessment will provide extra information required to plan a course of treatments.