What we do

 Sports massage is a form of massage involving the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit a person engaging in regular physical activity. Soft tissue is connective tissue that has not hardened into bone and cartilage; it includes skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (a form of connective tissue that lines and surrounds the other soft tissues). Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury. Sports Massage draws on a number of techniques including Deep Tissue massage and a variety of stretching techniques.  

A recommendation would be 60 minutes for either Back/Neck/Shoulders or Legs, or 

90-120 minutes for a full body.

 Deep Tissue massage is one of the techniques commonly used in Sports Massage. This is a deeper massage for general wellbeing.  A recommendation would be 60 minutes for either Back/Neck/Shoulders or Legs, or 90 -120 minutes for a full body.  To deal with injuries or specific areas of pain or discomfort then a Sports Massage would be our recommendation.  Despite the title there is no need to be involved in any sport to book a Sports Massage! I've yet to meet anyone who works at a desk that wouldn't benefit from one, and then there are those with a more active job or simply those with a generally active lifestyle.  That about captures most of us!

 ScarWork is the treatment of scar tissue, both visible and beneath the surface. Scars can be the result of accident/injury or surgery.  Often the remaining visible reminder marks an area of tension and adhesions beneath the surface sometimes affecting functional movement.  The tightness in the facia and adhesions beneath the surface can often cause a change to the area that is quite visible.  ScarWork aims to reduce the tension and adhesions while improving the health of the scar area.  This can then lead to visible changes including the reduction of the scar appearance and improving the general feel of the area, which can often be itchy or numb.  The stimulation of the area can promote cell regeneration in the scar itself.  This is a slow, gentle non invasive treatment.  This may then be combined with some Manual Lymphatic Drainage or massage following the ScarWork.  

A single ScarWork appointment would be 60 minutes although this would also depend on the cumulative length of the scars.  For this treatment a number of appointments would be required.

The idea behind hot stone massage therapy is that the direct heat of the stones relaxes the muscles, allowing the therapist access to deeper muscle layers. Combining hot stone massage with a deep tissue/sports massage provides a very healing and effective experience. The hot stones expand blood vessels, which encourages blood flow throughout the body. The hot stones also have a sedative effect that can relieve chronic pain, reduce stress and promote deep relaxation. Hot Stones massage can be taken as a stand alone treatment, integrated into Sports Massage or simply tagged onto the end of your Sports Massage to relax and calm your muscles.  A standalone Hot Stones Massage would be 90 to 120 minutes.

 Not a typical massage, this is performed without the use of massage oils, on dry skin.  It is a gentle rhythmic action that stimulates the flow of lymph through the lymph vessels. The aim is to affect the area 1-3mm below the surface of the skin.  MLD techniques facilitate the removal metabolic waste, excess water, toxins, bacteria, large protein molecules and foreign substances from tissue via the lymph vessels and the venous capillaries.  MLD relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, reduces pain and also enhances the activity of the immune system.  It's effective in the treatment of a wide range of problems including oedema, skin disorders, headaches, sinus congestion, sprains and aches, stress, digestive disorders and both before and after surgery to remove tissue congestion and minimise scar formation.  Its also particularly useful as part of post-mastectomy therapy to reduce oedema and fibrosis and to relieve pain and tension.

 Dry Cupping is a technique used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture and dry needling. It is effective at stretching tight facia and muscles.  Cupping helps the tissue develop new blood flow and stimulates the healing process.  Its generally painless.  Cups are applied to the skin and then a hand put creates a vacuum in the cup causing an upward lift of soft tissue.

Cups can be used in a number of ways including static and gliding.  Initially cupping pulls blood into an area.  The tissue becomes saturated with fresh blood while the vacuum pulls stagnant blood out of the area (stagnation is caused by tight muscle fibres causing a vascular restriction) This is demonstrated by a hickey like appearance that can sometimes be left behind.  The marks are rarely painful. As new blood is forced into the area the body will begin to develop new blood vessels (neovascularisation) As the new vessels form they will have the capability to feed the tissues with nutrient and oxygen

 Dry Needling, the act of inserting a needle but not injecting a wet substance, is similar in appearance to acupuncture.  Dry needling targets areas of tight muscle and trigger points (often referred to as knots). Needles vary in length depending on the area being needled, longer in areas of deeper muscles such as Quads and Hamstrings and longer still in glutes.  A number of needles may be used and the duration for which the needle is left in will vary also.  Its a much less painful therapy than it may sound. With an abundance of nerve endings near the surface of the skin this is where you may feel the needle enter, although often not.  The needles are much finer that your typical jab at the doctors and once in the rest is rarely felt. The needles may then be periodically stimulated but again this is typically not really felt.  The intention is that the needles will stimulate a response from the central Nervous System resulting in an easing of muscle tension.  

 Pregnancy Massage has numerous benefits to both mother and unborn child.  Specific training widens our knowledge of massage techniques and positions available and areas to avoid/treat with caution. 

With pregnancy comes many changes putting pressure on joints, ligaments and organs, often causing discomfort and pain.  There is ample evidence which supports the tremendous benefits of pregnancy massage.  It can help alleviate aches and pains and other common health problems associated with pregnancy. Massaging the Intercostals and pectoral muscles will help the respiratory system and aid breathing during the pregnancy and birth.  Research also shows that the baby can benefit greatly from massage as feel good endorphins are released. 

Some of the benefits of massage during pregnancy - 

• Stimulation of the circulation
• Lymphatic Drainage
• Sluggish bowel movement aided
• Releases muscular tension
• Releases Compression
• Helps avoid varicose veins
• Aids with blood pressure
• Helps reduce emotional stress

 This is an extremely effective therapy that has evolved from traditional techniques practiced in India as part of family rituals for over a thousand years.  It involves massage to the upper back, shoulders, upper arms, face and scalp. 

This massage works on significant areas of the body, especially the neck and the shoulders where stress affects major muscle groups, and it often brings immediate relief.  Tensions are eased and fibrous knots and nodules melt away.  The efficiency of the circulatory and lymphatic systems improve, toxins are dispersed from tense muscles and flexibility and fluidity of movement is restored

In 2019 I attended Massage School in Chiang Mai for two weeks studying Thai Massage.  I immediately introduced a number of aspects of this modality into my Sports Massage  to enhance the treatment along with some fantastic stretches.  The pandemic changed my plans and my clients requirements so this didn't get added to my services as a stand alone treatment yet.  Its an amazing massage and compliments Sports Massage very well and I may well introduce it to my list later in the year.