MASSAGE

Q: Is Sports Massage for me, if I don’t do sports?
A: Techniques that work well on muscles that have become tight or strained from use on the sports field will work equally well on muscles that have become tight or strained from use (or mis-use) in the garden, at work or through recreation.

Q: Can massage harm me?
A: There are some contra-indications to massage treatment, such as over open wounds or over tumours. Good professional training informs the Practitioner what can and can not be attempted. Any SMA member will have had this training.
Too heavy massage of delicate tissue can cause bruising. Whilst this is undesirable, it is usually unlikely to cause any serious damage. It is however, one reason why I ask my patients always to tell me, at the time, if they feel any pain or discomfort.

Q: What are the benefits of sports massage?
A: Massage eases tight muscles and connective tissue, resulting in better muscle balance and function. This may, in turn, ease many painful joint conditions.
Massage improves the flow of blood and other fluids in the body, which means that the body will work more efficiently.
Massage relaxes the body and the mind
For the sports person these benefits mean more, and more effective, training, which should lead to improved performance.

Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: You will be assessed at your first consultation. Usually no more than 3 treatments (frequently less) will be needed to establish whether these treatments are for you or whether they are helping, or will help, your condition. It may be that to maintain an improvement more treatments may be needed.
Regular treatment can be of great benefit from a preventative point of view.