Sports Massage
When we feel tension or pain it’s often a cause of the soft tissues in our body. Sports massage is an effective therapy that helps reduce tension and pain in those who live a physical, repetitive and stressful lifestyle. Massage combined with stretching may help improve muscle imbalances and postural abnormalities. Conditions like sciatica, neck and shoulder tension and many other musculoskeletal issues can be relieved with sports massage.
Deep Tissue Massage
This technique is applied using firm pressure in order to release tension in the deeper layers of the muscles. The therapist generates greater depth of pressure using their body weight. The movement is slow and uses powerful strokes.
This type of massage may feel uncomfortable for some individuals so the therapist will regularly check to ensure you are comfortable enough. This technique is used occasionally to ensure you aren’t in discomfort for long periods.
Rock Blade (IASTM)
The Rock Blade is an Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) tool which is ergonomically designed to treat myofascial issues, such as scar tissue, adhesions, tightness, imbalances, inflammation and degeneration. It works by effectively breaking down fascial restrictions in order to restore function to the area. Issues such as neck and back pain, sprains, strains, tendonitis and post-surgical scar tissue can be improved by this non-evasive instrument.
SCIATICA
Sciatica is a painful condition that is caused by disc compression of the sciatic nerve in the lumbar spine area. This results in sharp pain that is often felt in the buttock area, but can travel down the leg. Pain is usually felt on one side and can be intense.
Piriformis syndrome is a condition that gives similar symptoms to sciatica. The piriformis is located in the buttocks. When this muscle is tight it can irritate the sciatic nerve. Release of the piriformis using various massage techniques can give instant pain relief.
These conditions usually stem from muscle tension or a prolapsed disc caused by stress or a sudden or forceful movement. Back pain is the most common reason for hospital visits.
RUNNING INJURIES
Running on road or track (hard), grass (bumpy) or a treadmill (flat) places stress on the body due to high-impact and repetitive movements. Running repeatedly for extended periods causes significant stress on the ankle, shin and knee joints. Overtime, painful injuries may develop:
Shin Splints: Stress related pain around the shin bone
Runners Knee: Pain on the outside of the knee
Plantar Fasciitis: inflammation and pain on the heel and sole of the foot
Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation and pain around the Achilles tendon (heel)
Some of these injuries can be avoided by wearing appropriate footwear.
Always check footwear is appropriate for the surface type you run on.
RUNNING INJURIES
Running on road or track (hard), grass (bumpy) or a treadmill (flat) places stress on the body due to high-impact and repetitive movements. Running repeatedly for extended periods causes significant stress on the ankle, shin and knee joints. Overtime, painful injuries may develop:
Shin Splints: Stress related pain around the shin bone
Runners Knee: Pain on the outside of the knee
Plantar Fasciitis: inflammation and pain on the heel and sole of the foot
Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation and pain around the Achilles tendon (heel)
Some of these injuries can be avoided by wearing appropriate footwear.
Always check footwear is appropriate for the surface type you run on.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Soft tissue injuries occur in muscle, fascia, tendons and ligaments. They usually stem from overuse, repetition or sudden forceful movements. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and reduced flexibility.
Sprain: Ligament tear (common in the ankle)
Strain: Muscle or tendon tear (common in the hamstring)
Mild to moderate tears can take weeks to heal. Severe tears could take months.
Tendonitis: is caused from repetitive stress and overload on the tendon, resulting in inflammation, stiffness and pain, especially when moving the joint.
Massage can help improve the healing process of the injuries above, depending on the healing stage. Avoid any stretching until the tissues are fully healed.
SHOULDER INJURIES
The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body and is therefore one of the most unstable. Common shoulder injuries include rotator cuff tears, dislocations, tendonitis, frozen shoulder and fractures.
Shoulder injuries often stem from forceful movements like lifting weights, from sports that stress the shoulder joint such as rugby, or from repetitive daily activities such as exercise, driving or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder. This may cause instability around the joint and eventually lead to an injury.
Regular massage combined with a home care plan can help improve shoulder stability
SHOULDER INJURIES
The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body and is therefore one of the most unstable. Common shoulder injuries include rotator cuff tears, dislocations, tendonitis, frozen shoulder and fractures.
Shoulder injuries often stem from forceful movements like lifting weights, from sports that stress the shoulder joint such as rugby, or from repetitive daily activities such as exercise, driving or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder. This may cause instability around the joint and eventually lead to an injury.
Regular massage combined with a home care plan can help improve shoulder stability
BACK AND NECK PAIN
Lower back pain is often caused by a reduction in mobility around the hip joint. Imbalances in the muscles around the buttock and thigh areas, for example tight hamstrings, may decrease hip mobility and increase lumbar spine mobility. This increases the risk of developing back pain.
Upper back and neck pain is caused by a decrease in neck and shoulder mobility. Tension around the neck and upper back increases the risk of developing problems, leading to poor head posture.
If you suffer with back or neck pain, have poor mobility in your hip, shoulder or neck or suffer with conditions such as sciatica, then book a free consultation for advice