Complementary Therapy

You don’t have to be a sportsman to benefit from a sports massage. In fact sports massage is suitable for just about anyone. Sports massage involves greater pressures being applied to the muscles. The deeper pressure enables superficial and deep muscles to be treated and realigned therefore aiding recovery and improving posture.

From time to time we all feel sore and tender. This is a result of toxins building up in the body. This soreness prevents us from operating at our optimum. Sports Massage can help reduce tenderness and enable us to carry out our normal tasks with the minimum of fuss.

• Sports Massage allows us to recover from training or injuries
• It reduces stress and tension which can be built up over a long period of time.
• The variety of techniques and different pressures assists with the recovery and treating of muscular injuries.
• Sports massage helps us to overcome postural problems and muscle imbalances caused by previous injuries.
• Reduces scar tissue and swelling.
• Sports Massage assists with preparation for an event and also our recovery from an activity e.g. marathon.

The following techniques are used

• Soft Tissue Release (STR): stretches muscles, breaks up scar tissue as well as realigns muscle fibres.
• Muscle Energy Technique (MET): this form of treatment stretches and strengthens the muscles in conjunction with the assistance of the therapist. It also breaks down scar tissue. This treatment encourages relaxation and improves flexibility.
• Neuromuscular Technique (NMT): stimulates the nervous system to allow a greater range of motion in the muscle. This is an excellent form of treatment to help with muscle imbalances.

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue.

It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.

Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain.

Deep Effleurage:  This is a deeper form of effleurage which works the underlying muscles more and also encourages good circulation and stimulating lymph fluid flow.

Neuromuscular:  Used to clear a build up of waste in a specific point in the muscle.  This causes a knot and can be painful.  By using this technique you clear the block age and pain subsides.

Acupressure: Used to release pressure in specific points.  The body has boridian lines and by applying pressure on a specific point for about 2-5 seconds this will release pressure in a corresponding part of the body i.e. if you press on the sciatic nerve you can release pressure down the leg and into the feet. 

Stretching and Releasing:  As you stretch and come to the first level of resistance, pause; take a nice slow, deep breath, begin to breath out, as your whole body deflates like air escaping from a balloon and a softening occurs throughout you will have successfully brought about a Release and deeper, stretch.

The term holistic comes from the Greek word ‘holos’ meaning whole. The holistic approach aims to restore balance within the body, taking into account the person’s whole being not just their physical symptoms or ailments.

Massage therapy is an ancient form of healing, used for thousands of years. Holistic massage combines a therapeutic and nurturing process of touch and response with each treatment adapted to the client’s unique needs, physical characteristics and personality.

The strokes used are:-

Effleurage: A series of massage strokes used to warm up the muscle.  This is a soothing, stroking movement and is used as a linking move between the different strokes and movements.

Petrissage: massage movements with applied pressure, which are deep and work on the underlying muscles.  Kneading, wringing, pick up and squeeze are all petrissage movements.

Tapotement: This is a specific stroke and movement technique used.  It is a rhythmic percussion most frequently administered by the palm of the hands or tips of the fingers.  It is used to stimulate the muscle and encourage blood into the area.

Vibration:  This is when you use the tips of your fingers of side of hand to loosed tight muscle.  It is done quite vigorously, and is used to stimulate the muscle and encourage blood into the area.  Also to loosen fascia.  

Friction: This is the most penetrating of the strokes, and consists of deep circular or transverse movements made with the thumb pads or fingertips. The therapist applies deep, circular movement near joints and other bony areas (such as the sides of the spine). Friction breaks down adhesions, which are knots that result when muscle fibers bind together during the healing process, thus contributing to more flexible muscles and joints.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a very light touch massage that improves the efficiency of the lymphatic system. Gentle pulsing movements work to remove waste products, toxins and excess fluid back into the lymphatic system which will then be excreted. It can also reduce fluid retention and can also lead to the reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

Manual lymphatic drainage is an excellent way to detoxify the body and speed up the metabolism. After treatments clients feel more energised and less sluggish. MLD is also used to help clients recover from cosmetic surgery by helping to reduce the swelling and promote recovery.

Cupping is an ancient method of releasing congestion within the body. The cups help to create a partial vacuum using either suction or heat. When used the cups are left on the body for a few minutes they allow an increase in blood flow to the area. Cupping helps to lift the skin and soft tissues away from the bones. This in turn is beneficial as it can help relieve joint pain and improve the range of movement around a joint. Additionally, cupping helps with the release of toxins as well as helping to activate the Lymphatic system and improve blood flow in the veins, arteries and capillaries. This treatment helps the therapist deliver a deep tissue massage as it softens the tissues without the need for lots of effleurage and petrissage.

Theragun treatment is a deep muscle treatment. It works by using rapid percussive strokes to repeatedly stimulate a muscle or group of muscles. It can help with pain relief, improved range of movement and enable the performer to recover quicker from activities. The theragun is excellent at treating conditions such as DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness) and is also beneficial in assisting with the breaking down of scar tissue and myofascial release. The increase in blood flow allows more oxygen to the area, which in turn speeds up the removal of waste products. The theragun is excellent at treating injuries and soreness when combined with massage.

I am fully mobile and visit clients in the comfort of their own home. I will bring with me a table, towels, oil and music. I currently visit the following areas, Hornchurch, Emerson Park, Upminster, Romford, Collier Row, Gidea Park, Cranham, Harold Wood, Harold Hill, Rainham, Elm Park, Brentwood, Epping, Theydon Bois, Stapleford Abbotts, Loughton, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill.

Visiting is possible to other areas but may incur an additional fee.