Treatments
Sports Massage
Sports Massage not only treats sport specific injuries, aches and pains, it is great for helping the body to recover after exercise and can help to prevent injuries before they happen. It can also help to improve the condition and tone of the body so it is more flexible, quicker to recover, and able to perform better and more often. Whether the problem is new (acute) or old (chronic) Sports Massage can help. However, you don't have to be sporty for it to be useful. Most of my clients come to me for treatment for non sport related problems. Work, hobbies and life in general can cause issues that can be successfully treated with Sports Massage.
Remedial Massage
Remedial Massage can be used
to help with all manner of physical and psychological conditions. Postural problems, repetitive strain disorder, chronic disorders, muscle and joint pain, back pain, stress and anxiety can all be helped with massage. The session can be targeted to a specific problem or can be more general for overall wellbeing and relaxation. Massage can also be used in conjunction with other therapies to great effect.
Specific Techniques
Within Sports and Remedial Massage there are several special techniques that are used to target and treat muscles and joints. Techniques like Soft Tissue Release, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Techniques, Neuromuscular Technique, and Articulation. I also use an Intrasound device to treat around joints and particularly painful areas. These techniques all help to make the treatment as effective as it can be. They are used in conjunction with the massage to give the client the best chance for improvement and recovery.
Dry Needling and Medical Acupuncture
Dry Needling and Medical Acupuncture is a safe and effective means of treating a wide range of problems affecting muscles, tendons and fascia. Sterile, single use and high quality Acupuncture needles are used to treat Trigger Point Zones in the body. These Trigger Points can be responsible for pain, tension and changes in tone or function within soft tissue. They are also capable of refering pain locally within the structure it inhabits or regularly refer to structures much further away within the body. The application of Dry Needling therefore can not only treat the problems relating to localised pain or acute injury but much more chronic or referred pain throughout the body. Whether used along side other treatments or as a stand alone treatment Dry Needling may be very beneficial in pain reduction, improving recovery times, and reduce the need for more intensive treatment.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy is similar to Acupressure and NMT but combines the application of targeted pressure and short periods of massage to reduce tension within a muscle. It is an effective treatment of what is commonly referred to as "knots" in a muscle. It is important to say however not all points of increased tone in a muscle are problematic. Some are hard earned and necessary. However if they are painful and are causing the muscle to be inhibited or weak then this technique works very well.
Exercise and Stretching
Part of the treatment of most clients will include some stretches or exercises performed during the session. They are used in addition to the massage and other techniques to further help the client. All stretches and exercises are always performed within the limitations of the client at the time. Most clients are shown some stretches or exercises to take away and do at home. They should help the recovery process and may reduce the need for further treatment.
Rehabilitation
Sports and Remedial Massage along with the other techniques mentioned can help shorten recovery times from injury. The aim is to get you back to full fitness as quickly as possible, and return your body to as good condition, if not better than before your injury. Improvements in muscular tone, flexibility, strength and balance should help the injury recover and prevent the problem reoccurring.
Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specific technique to assist the drainage of areas of the body where the lymphatic return is compromised. It is a very gentle but effective treatment that supports the body's own process and can be used in conjunction with a standard massage or as a stand alone treatment. There are limitations to this treatment and should not be thought of as a treatment for post operative or traumatic Lymphoedema where damage has occurred to the Lymphatic System.
Kinesiology Taping
This treatment has a few different names but we have all seen the sportsmen and women on the TV wearing the tape normally near a joint. The correct application of K-tape can have many benefits. It is used for supporting and assisting the normal movement of a joint or muscle. It can also be used as a form of swelling control when bruising or injury has occurred. Unlike normal strapping it is flexible so does not inhibit movement but can subtly alter proprioception and the underlying fascia to assist motion and stability.
Oncological Massage
For a long time massage was thought to be unwise for anyone suffering from, or in the recovery phase of cancer. Times have changed for the better and massage is now recognised as being beneficial in managing some of the secondary symptoms of the disease. Limitations still exist particularly in somebody undergoing active radiotherapy but even these people can benefit. Massage can help with feelings of anxiety, isolation, and stress. It can also help with some of the physical symptoms too, those of stiffness, distal pain, a lack of mobility and muscular tension or spasms.
Ultrasound Therapy
The use of an Ultrasound Therapy machine to treat numerous soft tissue complaints. Especially useful for ligament or tendon injury where massage can be painful in the acute phase. Muscular tension and damage can also be effectively treated with Ultrasound. Greater relaxation of tense tissue and improved micro-circulation promoting faster recovery and better healing are also possible, particularly in ligamental and tendon injuries as they have poor blood supply and tend to heal much slower than muscular injuries.
Individually Target Treatments
We are all different. Everybody has something unique about them, so every treatment is tailored to the individual.
Always Learning
Undertaking yearly C.P.D. to continually learn and educate myself. I am constantly updating and improving my skills and knowledge to better serve the client.
Professional and Caring
Qualified to Diploma level. Always professional but never too formal. Hour long treatment sessions gives plenty of time for treatment and focus on the client.