Most clients are already in pain or suffering from some sports-related injuries before they turn to massage, but why does everyone let it get to that stage? It is far more sensible to take regular massage as a preventative measure so that such injuries do not occur and to increase your overall sense of wellbeing for optimum physical and mental performance.
Evidence for the therapeutic and clinical benefits of massage, from both research studies and patient reports, has always been extremely strong and many sports injury specialists say massage is very effective in treating and reducing soft tissue injuries, improving muscle conditioning and fluid movement, improving general athletic performance and enhancing a state of wellbeing.
The power of healing in massage is the energy that flows through the therapist's hands in touch to refresh, regenerate and revitalise. There are several forms of massage on offer, and it can be confusing to know what will work best for a particular ailment or condition. Some full body massage concentrates more on relaxing the client whilst others will work more deeply at repairing damaged muscle tissue.
Sports Massage
Sports Massage is often used to alleviate stress and aid relaxation as well as to relieve pain and to facilitate healing from injury. A sports massage uses powerful techniques and trigger point work on specific muscles and areas of the body to invigorate and refresh. Sports massage is a part of many cancer care programmes and is used for premature babies, infants, young children and older people. It also plays an important part in sports therapy in the prevention of injuries.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage is a powerful form of remedial massage that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue used to treat chronic pain and restricted mobility. It is also useful in recovery from sporting injuries and treating repetitive strain injury, osteoarthritis and lower back pain or spasms from poor posture or incorrect lifting.
Deep tissue massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue to reach the deep sections of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibres. Movements are generally slower and the pressure deeper and more focused on specific areas of tension and pain.
Once experienced, many people continue to choose deep tissue massage over lighter styles for the increased degree of relaxation, alleviation of pain, and the generally longer lasting benefits that it provides. Massage is believed to stimulate skin receptors and the nervous system, triggering the release of 'feel-good' chemicals, known as endorphins, which help us relax. It is known to help 'block' pain signals.
Therefore a massage after yoga can also help alleviate issues that have arisen during your practice such as muscular tightness or any inflammation.
In order to learn how to stand up straight after developing a dowager's hump, Ashley J Downs discovered yoga and has been practising for several years. Find out how you can learn yoga at the Yoga Centre in Leigh on Sea
Shambhala Studios, 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Maple Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 1DJ
01702 478924