Sports and Remedial Massage

I gained my Holistic Sports and Remedial Massage Diploma from the prestigious Sheffield College of Massage Training (SCMT). I embrace an active lifestyle in the Peak District and enjoy caving, climbing, running and cycling. This means I am well placed to understand the physical and psychological needs of clients who participate in sports, the injuries that can occur, effective treatments and rehabilitation programmes to restore mobility and function.

Anyone who participates in sports will know how vital it is for their body to be kept in optimum condition and how frustrating injury can be. As well as speeding up recovery from injury, sports and remedial massage can actually enhance performance too. For this reason regular massage sessions are recommended.

I treat many different conditions including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder, ITB syndrome, plantar faciitis, bursitis, shin splints and sciatica. I also work with sprains, strains and fractures to restore joint mobility and break down scar tissue.

However, it is not only people participating in sports who can benefit from this type of massage. It can be of real help to alleviate or improve symptoms arising from conditions as diverse as ME and fibromyalgia, spondylitis, migraine, depression, MS, arthritis, IBS and Crohn’s disease, ADHD and Autism. It is also great for lower back, shoulder and neck pain resulting from long hours working at the desk or from poor posture.

Sports and remedial massage should not be painful and, although there may be some discomfort at times, I never take it beyond the threshold which is manageable for you. It is common sense that if intense pain is experienced the muscles will automatically tense up and this will dramatically reduce the effectiveness of any work carried out. A session may include deep tissue massage techniques such as trigger point release, soft tissue release, muscular energy techniques and myofascial release. Aromatherapy oils can also be incorporated into the session or you may be prescribed a tailor made topical application to use in your aftercare. You will also be given advice on diet, lifestyle, exercise and stretching techniques which will benefit your rehabilitation and maintenance programme.

A brief overview of a few of the techniques I employ:

Muscle Energy Techniques and Soft Tissue Release

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a form of passive or active stretching used by sports massage therapists, osteopaths and physiotherapists. One of the techniques involves the active contraction of a muscle by the client against a counterforce provided by the therapist, this is also known as post isometric contraction or PIR. The technique is used to normalise joint range when it has become restricted.

Soft Tissue release (STR) is used to stretch soft tissues where there is restriction or congestion and can be used on muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. STR is very effective in treating conditions such as tendonitis as it takes pressure off the point of origin, which is where the inflammation occurs. It also stimulates tissue repair in conditions such as plantar faciitis. The therapist locks into the affected tissue and maintains the pressure whilst the joint is slowly mobilised. This creates a strong release and restores muscle balance, strengthens weak muscles and addresses postural misalignment so that the body functions in a more optimal way.

Myofascial Release

The fascia is a vital interconnected web that wraps around every organ and cell in the body and communicates with our muscles, joints and nervous system. It can become restricted and tight through age, injury, repetitive movements or poor posture. Releasing tightness in the fascia aids the restoration of muscle tone, nerve responsiveness, hydration, blood and lymph flow, returning not only the affected area but also the surrounding tissue to its normal function.

I use gentle compression, tractioning and holding techniques to soften and unwind the fascia. It can be effective for alleviating headaches, TMJ, neck and shoulder pain, whiplash, lower back pain, sciatica, gluteal, hamstring pain, shin splints and plantar faciitis.

Kinesiology Taping

This is becoming an ever more popular method of addressing both chronic and acute aches and pains. Elasticated tape is cut to the desired length and stretched over areas where pain or discomfort is experienced.

It is believed that the tape works by creating tension and lifting the skin away from the underlying tissue which may promote circulation and lymphatic flow. It can also take pressure off irritated nerves and can support painful joints and sore muscles, allowing natural healing to occur. In addition it may be used to bring the client’s awareness to their posture and can help bring about postural changes and improvements.

Events Massage

I have provided pre and post event massage for local events including the Grindleford Gallop, Grindleford Goats Sportive and Sheffield Roller Derby. I also work with individual athletes helping to prepare them for half marathons, ultra marathons, cycling sportives, climbing, swimming and gymnastics competitions.

I run participative sports awareness workshops to enable clients to gain insight into the way their bodies work and to help correct or prevent injuries.