Massage Definitions

Remedial massage is the mobilisation of muscle & connective tissue to release tension & toxins, which promotes muscle flexibility, improved muscle function & performance. This is achieved using a variety of techniques such as:-

• Trigger Point Release – uses direct acupressure & myofacial stretching to release sensitive, tight points within muscles. Trigger points are painful on compression & may produce referred pain sensation or a muscle twitch. They cause muscle restrictions & a range of other symptoms such as tension headaches, back ache, muscle weakness & are thought to be caused by overwoking/underworkinng muscles, fatigue, direct trauma or chills.
• Myofascial Release – is a gentle stretching technique that concentrates on unwinding & releasing restrictions in the layer of fascia without causing pain or discomfort to the client. All muscles are surrounded by a tough layer of connective tissue called fascia, which forms a three dimensional web that is continuous from head to toe. Restrictions of fascia cause pain, reduced movement or malfunction in the body.
• Lymphatic Drainage – is a gentle massage technique which stimulates the lymphatic system, increasing the flow of cellular fluid. The Lymphatic System is responsible for circulating nutrients from cells, removing toxins from the body by returning waste to the cardiovascular system & is also plays a major role in our immune function. Direct trauma, injury or illness can sometimes reduce or stop the flow of lymph fluid in the body which results in a build up of fluid leading to swelling. Lymph drainage helps to reduce recovery times in physical injury or surgery & helps improve immune function. It does not usually have an effect on cellulite.
• Corrective Exercise Therapy – is a series of stretching & strengthening exercises prescribed to a person to improve their muscle balance. Muscle balance is important to reduces the chance of injury or re-injury (in the case of rehabilitation)
• Swedish Massage – is a lighter pressure style of massage that uses long flowing strokes & rolling, shaking, light percusive movements that induce relaxation. Good for stress relief.

Sports Massage – focuses on individuals needs in relation to their sport. There are three types of Sports massage:-

• Preventative/Maintenance – usually performed throughout the normal course of training & concentrates on releasing tightness, improving strength & flexibility – usually 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Pre-event – usually carried out on the day of the event, usually lasts 5-20 minutes, is a lighter, quicker style of massage & may use some stretching to prepare the athlete for competition.
• Post-event – is also a short style of massage aimed at moving blood out of the muscles & back to the heart. Uses shaking & jostling movements but no heavy pressure – 10 – 20 minutes long. It aims to reduce some of the tightness brought on by fatigue.

Pregnancy Massage – uses a variation of Remedial techniques to relieve muscle spasms, sore tight muscles & improves circulation during the course of the pregnancy.

Benefits of Massage: -

• Relaxes tight, sore, overworked muscles
• Improves muscle tone, relaxation, flexibility and increase joint Range of Motion (ROM)
• Improve blood and lymph circulation, flushes toxins & increases the supply of fresh nutrients to the muscle tissue
• Reduces blood pressure
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Assists in a quicker recovery after exercise
• Improves immune system functions
• Improves sleep patterns
• Relieves headaches, caused by muscle tension
• Reduces chronic pain & promotes more efficient muscle function
• General sense of improved health & wellbeing
• Assists in injury repair when inflammation or fever has disappeared
• As a preventative measure it reduces chance of soft tissue injury