HOW DOES MASSAGE WORK?

• It loosens tight muscles
• It breaks up adhesions in muscles, in fascia and between structures of the body (such as where nerves and muscle have become adhered together with scar tissue).
• It improves blood flow, which aids healing and recovery, and also can improve performance through increased movement of nutrients and waste products.
• Many aches and injuries have their origins in excessive muscle tension. This could be either directly, as in aching neck and shoulders through poor posture in front of a computer, or indirectly, as in knee pain through a short or over tight Ilio-tibial band on the outside of the thigh. With either scenario the tightness can be relieved with massage and other releasing techniques. Advice and instruction would then be given on stretches, exercises and posture (if appropriate) so as to maintain this improvement.
• Because massage is a hands on treatment, tensions or a build up of scar tissue can be detected long before they might surface as an ache or an injury. This is one reason why regular massage is of such benefit to anyone involved in sport.
• Stress causes tension in muscles which may even be sufficient to manifest as pain. A common cause of headaches is tension in the neck and shoulders. This can be released through massage. Those that frequently find themselves stressed would benefit from regular massage, which would also help them to unwind mentally.