London
Did you know that not only athletes benefit from Sports Massage?
No matter whether you are a professional athlete or you happen to suffer from muscle aches and stiffness, Sports Massage is beneficial for everyone!
I treat a variety of people in my practice, from elite athletes, 9-5 workers, writers, musicians, scientists, health workers, parents, grandparents, carers, cancer, and stroke patients, to people with depression, mental health problems to rare and ultra-rare diseases such as MS, Pompe and Chrone’s Disease. The list goes on and on.
Ask yourself and your friends or family members if their body feels pain-free and not at all stiff? How about stress? How about muscle aches caused by day to day smartphone use or even flu or common cold?
We all suffer from some degree of pain and aches caused by muscular imbalance where one muscle is stronger than its opposing muscle. For example, if you sit all day at a computer or overwork your “mirror muscles” (like the chest and abs), your shoulders are likely pulled forward creating a strength imbalance between the front of your body and the back.
What are the Benefits of Sports Massage?
– Muscles and joints are relieved of pain
– Improved flexibility
– Injury prevention and rehabilitation
– Faster recovery from hard training
– Can be used as a self-maintenance program
– Improves posture
– Boosts the general blood circulation
– Brings fresh oxygen/nutrients to massaged areas
– Improves lymphatic drainage
– Releases natural ‘painkilling’ chemicals
– Stimulates the immune system
– Breaks down painful scar tissue in muscles & tendons
– Deeply relaxes mind and body by releasing tension
How can Sports Massage help YOU?
Sports Massage is a type of treatment with a variety of deep tissue techniques that can reduce levels of muscle tension brought on by injury or occupational stress. When microscopic muscle fibers become damaged, the body repairs them with scar tissue. During this healing process, adhesions can build up between the fibres, commonly referred to as knots. These affect the elasticity within that particular area of the muscle, limiting movement and eventually leading to muscle imbalance and pain.
A Sports Massage therapist can detect these areas of muscle damage long before pain develops and before greater injury or damage occurs. The therapist can also support the healing process by realigning the muscle fibres. Massage can play a vital part in the formation of healthy scar tissue allowing the muscle to return to its optimal condition.
Many doctors, consultants, and other medical professionals recognize Sports Massage as a well established, respected and beneficial therapy.
Sports Massage is not only for athletes or sportspeople. It is a safe and effective treatment that benefits everyone — people of all ages and conditions who’ve never played sports professionally. The aim of the therapy is to find and treat the cause of the disorder, not only the symptoms.
Many people also use massage as a way of relaxing the mind and body and counteracting stress. Also, if you are fit and healthy, regular massage treatment will help you to stay that way.
Alexandra Fraser
Sports Massage &
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
BA(Hons), BTEC 5, FHT