Massage
Massage involves systematically working the muscles and other soft tissues of the body to optimise the functioning of the various bodily systems. Massage therapy eases the pain
and discomfort of injuries, strains, accidents and illness to allow the body's natural healing processes to work most effectively. It enhances your vitality and sense of well being.
Massage can be a regular part of your health care plan. Massage can work to either overcome of prevent injury and illness. Massage keeps your muscles and soft tissues well toned,
improve your posture and re-balance you body/mind.
A gentle Massage affects the nervous system through the nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the hormone endorphin, which helps induce relaxation, relieves pain and reduces stress
chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline. It lowers the heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowers raised blood pressure.
A stronger Massage stimulates blood circulation, improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and removing waste products. It eases tense and knotted muscles and
stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.
Before any treatment it will be discussed which type of massage is preferred or needed. The treatment can then be adapted to suit any particular needs.
Sports Massage
Massage has a long history as a way of enhancing athletes' performance and preventing sports injuries. Regular massage helps sports people as diverse as athletes,
football players and ballet dancers to keep physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. It improves performance by keeping muscles at the peak of their flexibility
and strength, and reduces stiffness and muscle soreness. Sports massage also eases anxiety, keeping the athlete alert, yet calm. Regular sports massage provides improved
speed, strength, flexibility and quicker post-event recovery. Sports massage can be used both before and after an event.
A sports massage will involve working on the muscle groups that are utilised for a particular sport; it will be quite a firm massage and also involve stretching muscles.
If required exercises and stretches can be taught to improve performance.
