What is Sports Massage and Remedial Massage?
Sports Massage together with Remedial Bodywork and Deep tissue Therapy is a collective style of therapeutic massage used to treat and remedy dysfunctions held within the soft tissue of the body.ie muscle, fascia, ligaments and tendons. Some people may be put off by the idea that this type of massage is a lot deeper than others. Yes, at times, it can be uncomfortable to receive, but most describe this as a ‘good pain’ what’s the phrase? ‘No pain no gain’. However, the depth I work at is tailored to suit the individual only working to a depth that is appropriate for the condition. On occasion it may be more effective to work lightly to create change. Pain tolerance is of greater importance and constant communication is kept between therapist and client, so as the client feels as comfortable as possible, whilst still receiving the most benefit.
Your treatment, which is tailored for each individual client, may include a number of massage techniques, both superficial and deep, pressure techniques, lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques, soft tissue release, myofascial release, neuromuscular techniques and muscle testing and balancing. This combination of techniques are all aimed at bringing about pain relief and ease such conditions as back pain, repetitive strain injury etc.
Sports massage is not about getting your elbow stuck in as hard as possible and causing as much pain as possible. I believe that deep and hard are two very different things, I will work at the depth needed within your pain tolerance. If a technique is applied too hard, the tissue will contract and the therapist’s fingers/elbows won't be allowed to effect any change in the tissue. The key to a good sports and remedial massage is to effect a change in the tissues and then to ensure any rehab exercises are effective in changing the structure of the body back to a more normal state.
The resulting aim is to assist the body’s own healing process for the rehabilitation of injuries and dysfunction, so as to facilitate an increase in movement and flexibility and minimise/eliminate pain.
Pre-Event Sports Massage
Pre-event sports massage is a specific type of massage, which utilises general sports massage techniques in a manner, which prepares the body for sporting activity or physical exertion. This type of massage is one that can be applied from up to 2 days prior to the event and as close as two hours before the event. A pre-event massage stimulates the flow of blood and nutrients to the working muscles, with increased circulation resulting in a reduced risk of injury. A pre-event massage has the ability of stretching the soft tissues, which in turn increases joint mobility for physical activity. With this knowledge this type of massage also allows the individual to relax prior to activity, and focus on their performance. A pre-event massage can form part of the vitally important warm-up prior to physical exertion.
Post-Event Sports Massage
Post-event sports massage is also a type of massage that uses general sports massage techniques but in way, which allows the body to recover from physical activity, which is why it can form part of a successful cool down. The main aim of this type of massage is similar to that of a pre-event massage, which is to promote circulation and reduce tightness within the muscles. The difference is that after exercise the muscles are in a state of fatigue, so the purpose of the massage is to reduce this fatigue and soreness within the muscles by increasing the removal of waste products from the muscles produced by the body and relieving tension within the muscles.
To book your treatment session with Russ Cassidy, sports massage and deep tissue massage therapist, call on 07709 509713, or book online. Alternatively you can send a message.
