MASSAGE THERAPY

consultation

Each session will begin with a consultation. The aim of clinical massage therapy is to trace your pain back to its origin, so we can treat the cause, not just the symptoms. The consultation is the first important step along this path, and will involve recording any relevant history of illness or injury, assessing your range of movement, and discussing what it is you would like to achieve from the treatment. Everyone is different, even when suffering from the same problem, so this consultation is important to make sure we plan a treatment which will be right for you.

fascial release for structural balance

An approach that works on the connective tissue which surrounds our muscles. Recent medical research has recognised this connective tissue (known as ‘fascia’) as a major factor in painful conditions. I see incredible results with this mode of treatment, particularly – although not exclusively - in chronic/long term conditions.

This is usually the starting point for sessions; we’ll begin by taking a postural assessment and identifying areas of restriction or imbalance which might be contributing to your pain and/or restriction of movement. With an understanding of how the fascia connects every structure in our body, I can then work to ease these strains, leading to a more balanced body and a more supportive posture, leaving you stronger to withstand future injuries or complaints.

This is often the 'missing piece' in people's recoveries; when muscles have developed knots, tightness, and adhesions, the fascia, which wraps around these muscles, will also suffer from restrictions, and until this connective tissue has also been released, the muscles themselves will often keep a hold of the same restrictive patterns.

The session may also contain any number of a variety of other techniques, depending on your needs.

trigger point therapy

A technique aimed at reducing tension/adhesions in muscles. Trigger points, or 'knots' are contracted sections of muscle which form in predictable patterns along the fascial planes, and by releasing them, we can treat the cause, rather than just the symptom, achieving longer lasting pain relief.

movement therapy

Movement-based fascial release work can be a very important part of treatment, as it not only helps to physically release the compromised tissues, it also retrains your neural pathways, meaning your body will be more likely to be able to retain the changes, leaving you with long-lasting relief and freedom of movement.

sports/deep tissue massage

Clinical, focused work into any affected muscles, fascia, tendons or ligaments. With a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, I can identify and work on relevant parts of the body, helping to relieve tension and ease ‘knots’ in the deeper layer of tissues. This can be a good complimentary technique to be used alongside fascial rebalancing.

relaxation massage