Sports Massage
Sports massage works on the principle that the muscular system benefits from each of the affected muscles being worked on in turn. This encourages the healing process and helps to maintain healthy muscles.
The aim of Sports massage is to aid structural rebalancing in the body, decreasing the chance of injury during sports or other activities.
These techniques are not only beneficial for athletes; for example, conditions caused by repetitive movements and postural imbalances also respond well to this form of massage.
Integrated Myofascial Therapy
Fascia is a type of connective tissue. It covers muscle, bones, nerves, organs and circulatory vessels. It is a continuous tissue from head to foot, touching every cell in the body. Fascia holds everything in place and allows the body to resist mechanical stresses.
Tensions and traumas are absorbed by fascia, causing it to become restricted and pulled out of shape. The fascia slowly tightens and binds - reorganising itself along the line of strain imposed on it. This causes pressure on the tissues it surrounds, causing pain and postural adaptations.
Myofascial Release aims to restore fascia to health. The body is treated as a whole, on account of the fascia being continuous. No oil or cream is used. The treatment consists mainly of gentle holds, slowly increasing in pressure which allows stretching of the fascial system. It is important for the client to verbalise what they are feeling during the treatment as this can direct the therapist to which area of the body to work on next, as sensations remote to the area being treated can give clues to the client's bracing and holding patterns.
Pregnancy Massage
The physical changes women undergo during pregnancy can cause discomfort or pain. Many find that this can be alleviated through the increased circulation, tissue mobilisation and release of 'happy' and 'pain relieving' hormones associated with receiving massage.
Both 'happy' and 'stress' hormones pass through the placenta to Baby, so relaxing Mum with massage is beneficial for Baby too.
Pregnancy massage is received in a side-lying position with body support cushions in place for comfort and safety. Massage techniques are then adapted for the pregnant woman, either as a full body massage or to focus in on some of the various issues that can present with pregnancy.