Sports and Remedial Massage considers not only your presented condition but also other aspects which may be playing a part in your condition.  These include your medical history, diet, lifestyle, work, hobbies and your emotions.

 

What can I expect with a treatment? 

To get the most from sports and remedial massage, it may be necessary to have a series of treatments over a period of time; how frequent and how many will very much depend on you’re your requirements and goals for coming for treatment. Once you feel your body has returned to a good state of health and well-being then you may wish to consider periodic maintenance treatments with a view to identifying any developing issues before they become acute.

For example, during times when significant changes in activity, e.g rate of training or life events that may effect your physical well-being, e.g. moving house.

 

Advice is always offered to the client with simple and safe exercises that you can do in your own time to promote and prolong your treatment. How you feel after the massage will vary based on the techniques used, the length of the session, and the demands you place on your body afterwards. Feelings range from being relaxed, renewed and centred, to invigorated, excited or experiencing a rush of clarity or new energy and insight, to recognising your true level of fatigue (particularly if you can be "off duty" for the rest of the day) and needing only to rest.

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Clinical types of massage may leave the body free from chronic tightness or acute pain patterns, but may replace it with a mild soreness from the pressure applied. After this type of massage, you may need to rest the area before jumping back into the activity that produced the soreness. You should be aware that sometimes the benefit is not immediately felt, e.g. it may take up to 72 hours. Invariably, the benefits of massage tend to be cumulative, so typically, you will feel better as you get additional massages. These variables would be discussed your individual treatments.

 

When to Get a Sports Massage?

A sports massage is a good choice if you have an acute or chronic condition by over-use, type of use or injury - a tender knee from running, for instance, or tight glutes from cycling, or tension in the neck and shoulders from working in an office. The therapist will give you a full postural assessment and conduct a series of 

movement tests to determine if there are any areas of underlying weakness and help you to identify and correct any movement patterns that maybe causing your injury. For anyone participating in regular physical activity or competition level sports, more regular therapy is likely to be a great addition to your normal regimen. Following the principle that 'prevention is always better than cure' this can promote early detection of developing problems and help to avoid injury or rather than having to treat injuries.

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How do I know if it's relevant to me?

If you are experiencing pain and discomfort connected with your lifestyle then sports and remedial massage is for you. If you have become injured due to an impact injury, you are injured through repetitive stress to one or more body parts (could be activity/work related) or recovering from surgery then sports and remedial massage can help repair damage to soft tissue, break down scar tissue and put you back on the road to a full recovery.

 

I am not an athlete – is sports massage suitable for me?

You don’t have to be a top-flight athlete, or even remotely sporty to experience the benefits of a professional  sports massage. Even spending time at a desk can cause muscular tension and over use, which can be treated most effectively using sports massage.

 

How long does the treatment last?

Treatment duration is dependent on the issue at hand an the objectives of the session. Treatments will be of 60 minutes or 90 minute duration depending on need and in accordance with the agreed treatment plan. 

 

Do you take insurance clients?  

Yes I am happy to take insurance clients with relevant insurance provider authorisation. 

 

Do I need a GP referral?

No you do not need to be referred by your GP. Your GP may suggest to you that you would benefit from sport or remedial massage. I do often have clients referred to me via their GP for muscular pains and head aches.

 

Is there a cancellation policy?

Clients are requested to provide at least 48 hours notice of cancellation so that the appointment can be allocated to another client. For last minute cancellations, a 50% cancellation fee will be levied other than exceptionally.

 

How is Sports and Remedial massage different from a spa / beauty massage?

The benefits most often accrued from sport and remedial massage include:

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• Reduce muscle tension

• Increase range of motion

• Decrease muscle stiffness and soreness after exercise

• Help to break down scar tissue

• Promote recovery by increasing blood circulation

• Improve tissue elasticity

• Help prevent injuries when massage is received regularly

• Calmer body, mind, and emotions

 

How often should I have a massage?

Massage frequency is very much dependent on your lifestyle, how active you are and any specific conditions. The key is not to ‘soldier on’ in pain hoping it will go away. The chances are that if you try to push through the pain without treatment the condition will worsen and the  treatment becomes more complex, more time consuming and more costly. The benefit of receiving regular massage is that I will be able to spot areas of concern before they become more serious. Fortnightly or monthly treatments will better manage stresses and strains and minimise your exposure to pain. 

 

For those regularly participating in sport, performing high volumes or high intensity bouts of training, should try to incorporate sports massage into their training programme. Body maintenance is a key factor in achieving the goals that you have set yourself. 

 

There is nothing worse than spending hours of your time and effort in training for a competition and then, in the weeks building up to the race (when you will be tapering) or immediately after, you get injured. In some cases sustaining injury is a sign that something in training or preparation is not quite right, either because:

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• you are doing too much and not giving your body sufficient time to recover and / or adapt to the stresses to which you are subjecting your bodyyou are putting your body under;

• of bio-mechanical issues commonly caused by poor posture or the necessary muscular strength for your body to cope with the demands being placed upon it.

• the body is over compensating for changes in training frequency, intensity or volume that are occurring too quickly,

• of recovery error i.e. racing too frequently; or returning back to training too quickly after competition compromising the recovery process your body needs. (everyone is different). 

 

Is sports and remedial massage painful?

When tight or overworked muscles are manipulated they will transmit sensations of discomfort or even pain; this is dependent on the intensity of the techniques that need to be applied in any given situation. During treatment, the therapist will be guided in part by your feedback. For example, it may be necessary to manage your discomfort levels by modifying the duration or intensity of the technique needing to be applied (everyone's pain threshold is different). Moderate or even intense pain can be a sign that the treatment is working;  

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I will always be letting you know what i am doing or going to do and encouraging you to tell me how you feel so that I can ensure

that your treatment is delivered with a minimum of muscular pain.

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During treatment will I have to do anything?

You should expect to be fully involved in your treatment. This means that you may be asked to move into different positions, push against me or move a limb in a specific direction.  I will always sign post what I am going to do an ask you to provide me with feedback about how you are feeling. I will communicate quite a lot during your session so please don’t feel that you have to chat if you would rather have some quiet time.

 

What should I wear during assessment or treatment?

It is best to wear loose comfortable clothing. For some people this is underwear, for others it is shorts and vest or t-shirt. Essentially, it is what ever you are most comfortable with. However, neither assessment nor treatment can be effective with tight or restrictive clothing.

 

I am under 17 years old – can I have Sports Massage?

Clients under 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at each treatment; I do hold a current DBS (DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE) certificate to work with clients under 17 years of age.  Sports massage can be very helpful for young people who take part in a lot of sporting activities. It can prevent injury and support recovery from training at a time when their bodies are changing fast.

 

I have an injury – is sports massage appropriate for me?

Sports massage is generally appropriate in the treatment of injuries. However, it may be necessary to allow time for the acute stage to settle before starting treatment, usually within 48-72 hours after the injury occurred. It may be after examination when the acute stage has settled that, that my advice is for you to seek further specialist assessment / diagnosis from another branch of the health professional, e.g. GP, chiropractor etc.

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How will I feel after my treatment?

Depending on your condition and the techniques used you may feel some soreness, this is quite normal. Usually within 48-72 hrs after treatment the soreness should dissipate. For deeper treatments this may be a little longer.

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Is there anything I can do to prolong the benefits of my treatment?

The stage of injury / treatment will determine the steps to promoting and prolonging the benefits of treatment. If there is residual inflammation the application of ice will will help soothe the area, reduce inflammation and draw healthy nutritious blood to the area promoting the body's healing processes. 

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In the absence of inflammation, it will be beneficial to apply heat to the worked areas using a heat pad or hot water bottle as it draws healthy nutritious blood into the worked areas helping to speed up the healing and recovery processes. Some gentle stretching will also help to prolong the effects of the treatment.

 

I will also give you focused advice and show you particular mobility stretches / exercises that will help prolong the effects of your treatment.

 

What if I am embarrassed about my body? 

It is important to note that massage therapists are professionals who are sensitive to possible client issues with touch and are non-judgemental about body weight, amount of hair, skin conditions, scars, disabilities, medical conditions, or personal history of trauma.

 

Is it common to experience emotions? 

It is possible for sports massage to trigger an emotional response relating to other areas of your life. For example, you may be having an emotional / tough day, experiencing sadness, joy or exhaustion. Sometimes the safe touch, music that evokes memories, dates that are linked to significant events, or the smell of massage lubricants may all release emotional feelings. 

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The body can react by crying, laughing, or "shivering from cold." The mind can also become absorbed in the feelings rather than the massage. Your therapist will simply ask if you are okay to continue receiving touch and will monitor how you are doing and adjust session goals accordingly, e.g. We may agree to shorten the session duration, modify the technique, change the music or modify the ambient light.

 

Can I go back to work after my massage? 

You may return to work post massage but do allow sufficient time to readjust. Be aware that your perception of motion (driving, stairs, distances may be "off" for 20 minutes or so after the session). Also, be aware that your relaxed state may bring other cause other emotions to surface.

 

What should I expect straight after treatment?

At the end of the massage, the therapist will leave you to ground yourself for a few moments before dressing in private. Take such time as you may require to be comfortable before you leave.

 

Important information

If you have been diagnosed with or suspect you may have a pre-existing medical condition you should consult your GP for advice, diagnosis and treatment and always inform your health professional before starting any alternative or additional therapies, treatments or making any major changes in your diet or exercise programme.