Advanced Clinical Massage

These treatments are very specific in terms of the particular muscles worked. I use advanced and focused massage techniques to help each particular condition, depending on what is needed. I regularly treat clients with conditions such as:-

Back pain

Neck or shoulder pain

Knee and ankle pain

Headaches and migraines

90 minute Massage - £60

60 minute Massage - £40

30 minute Massage - £25

Treatment is as much about prevention as rehabilitation. Whether you are suffering from an injury or not these massage techniques can make a real difference to everyday life. Each technique used, has its own level of effectiveness in helping to breakdown excessively tight tissue and muscular structures, prevent the buildup of scar tissue, increase range of movement and subsequently relieve pain. Below are some of the techniques in more detail.

- Myofascial Release Treatment

A non-invasive treatment using a small amount of wax. This treatment works on loosening restricted connective tissue or fascia. A variety of techniques are used either 'directly' or 'indirectly', and either or both may be used, depending on the condition and the desired effect.
It is particularly effective for clients with Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as well as any injuries where there may be scar tissue, or acute and chronic pain. I also work with clients using structural realigning techniques with the fascia to aid with postural rebalancing.

- Soft Tissue Release

Muscles are made up of strands of fibres, lying neatly together. These fibres can become damaged, congested and tangled, which causes restrictions and pain.

Soft Tissue Release ( or STR ) is used to increase the range of movement, relieve pain and prevent, repair and manage injuries. This technique involves using manual pressure on a muscle to create a temporary false attachment point and then taking the muscle into a painfree stretch to untangle the muscle fibres.

- Trigger Point Therapy

A Trigger point is a point of tenderness within a muscle. They are felt as tense bands of tissue in muscles and tendons. They can cause pain either in the immediate area where they are found, or refer pain in a recognisable pain pattern to another part of the body. For example, if a client presents with pain down the side of the head in a question mark shape pattern, I would be looking for trigger points in the Trapezius muscle, which is a muscle in the shoulder.

Trigger points are caused by overload strain, direct trauma to the muscle, poor posture or repetitive activities, or physical, mental/emotional stress.

This therapy involves gentle pressure on a specific trigger point, to release the muscle and affected tissues. Trigger point therapy is particularly effective when used together with Myofascial release, by working on the surrounding fascia and soft tissue.

Whilst working, I will rely on communicating with you on the level of pain that the trigger point gives you, and whether it changes in any way with pressure.

- Hot and Cold Therapy

The application of hot and cold can be used within a massage if felt beneficial. It is suitable for sporting injuries and musculoskeletal pain.
Cold helps to reduce swelling, decrease inflammation and pain and can be useful in the treatment of acute injuries.

Heat can help to relax tight muscles and other connective soft tissues and is used in the treatment of chronic or older conditions.

I use basalt massage stones, which have a smooth texture and the ability to conduct heat.

- Stretching

Most treatments will involve some form of stretching during and/or after the massage. This is done to stretch out the muscles which have been worked, and found to have trigger points, or is tight and restricted.

Passive Stretching – This is performed whilst you lie still, and I gently stretch the muscles worked. I will put the muscle into its fullest range of motion and sustain the stretch for at least 30 seconds, taking into consideration your flexibility and pain threshold.

PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) or MET (Muscle Energy Technique) – This stretch needs involvment from both of us. The muscle involved is stretched for a hold of 4-6 seconds. It is then allowed to relax and then extended further. This process carries on until a maximum stretch has been reached. Resistance to the stretch during the hold helps to increase the stretch outcome.

Active Isolated Stretching – A technique developed by Aaron Mattes, using active movement and the theory of reciprocal inhibition to achieve greater flexibility. This stretch involves me moving the muscle into the maximum stretch and then taking it slightly further for 1.5 to 2 seconds, and then returning it to the starting position. This can also be performed using a rope or band to stretch the muscle. The whole sequence is repeated 8-10 times. This technique improves range of motion, and increases and maintains flexibility.