Massage Therapy comes in many different forms and can be tailored to suit individual needs, and requirements. Massage provides therapeutic benefits that help a variety of musculoskeletal issues and overall health and wellbeing.  I'm a fully qualified and insured massage therapist based in Wymondham in Norfolk.

My aim is to try and explain the benefits of massage therapy, and the different styles of massage types. However, sometimes I use a blend of different massage methods to achieve results based on the needs of the individual to overcome pain and improve overall function of the muscles and tissues. 

Massage treatments used are Swedish Massage, Remedial Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Therapeutic Massage, Myofascial Release Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy and IASTM - Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation and Manipulation during your massage. I can also utilize cupping during your treatment and Gua Sha / IASTM.

You do not need to select a particular style of massage when making your booking, your needs will be assessed during your appointment and a treatment plan will be discussed with you.

So many people work at a desk all day, with rounded shoulders and a forward head posture your full range of motion is restricted. Your muscles and fascia become overstretched, causing pain and stiffness within the muscles as they get fatigued. You may even feel pins and needles down the arms and into the fingers which stem from the muscles of the neck. Bad posture whilst working at a desk can not only cause neck pain but also cause upper and lower back pain and have a long term effect on your posture. Massage will not only help you destress, but work on releasing those contracted muscles and fascia we often call knots. 

If you walk, run, dance, lift weights, swim or do any regular exercise you would also benefit from massage. Inflammation, toxins and life stresses can slow recovery. Massage can help restore proper function by removing toxins, reducing inflammation and increasing your range of  motion by unlocking restricted areas and rigid tissues. Scar tissue which can form during exercise if left untreated can slow recovery from injury. Massage aids blood, vital nutrients and oxygen get to damaged areas. It can also improve muscle and skin tone by improving the circulation, immune system function, and reduction in stress. 

What causes our muscle health to become weakened or damaged.

• Overuse
• Underuse
• Emotional Stress
• Bad Posture
• Trauma or Injury

Massage is not just for the treatment of pain, and specific conditions it's great for your overall health and wellbeing. We maintain and service our cars, and get them looked at when they start to break down, but not ourselves. 

SWEDISH & REMEDIAL MASSAGE 

Both Swedish & Remedial massage are the most relaxing, they help you get relief from stress, reduces muscle tension, cramps and pain. Promotes the circulation of blood and lymph fluid through the tissues which support their health and function. Can be used for relaxation and anxiety, aids sleep and eliminates toxins. Helpful for bad posture and all types of pain, both therapeutic and effective.  Techniques used Stroking, Effleurage, Compression, Squeezing, Lengthening & Separating Fibres and Mobilisation & Traction.

Can be implemented with other massage styles.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE & REMEDIAL DEEP TISSUE

Deeper then Swedish Massage and works on deep fascia and targets muscles. Effective for back pain sufferers and treating the neck and shoulders. Restoring muscle function and range of motion may be used in conjunction with IASTM or Trigger Point Therapy and Myofascial Release Therapy. Some conditions that would benefit from deep tissue massages are - upper and lower back pain, sciatica, poor posture, piriformis syndrome, RSI repetitive strain injury, mobility issues. Useful muscle manipulation, and pulled muscles of the calf, hamstring, quads, glutes, bicep and triceps etc. Rotator cuff injuries, shin splints, IT band and tibialis anterior pain. Aids in the breakdown of scar tissue whilst improving circulation. Reducing pain sensations and decreasing muscle tension. Using hands, fingers, elbows and pressure during the massage.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPY MASSAGE 

Works on fascia and connective tissue that attaches and surrounds muscles, focuses on scar tissue and adhesions. Fascia is flexible tissue that surrounds muscles and is part of our connective tissue. This fibrous tissue acts like a web that wraps, encloses, separates and stabilises muscles and organs. Fascia can get overstretched causing pain and stiffness. Shortened and constricted fascia is when the corresponding muscle or fascia region no longer stretches or is unable to stretch and is effectively glued down and matted which increases tension in the tissues. Causing muscular aches and pains, knots and tightness. IASTM - Instrument aided soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation / Gua Sha tools will be used during the massage to release the fascia and therefore release the tension and pain. Supplying our cells with fresh nutrients stimulating the fibroblasts to produce new fascia threads.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY MASSAGE / NEUROMUSCULAR TECHNIQUE

Trigger point therapy massage can alleviate issues with muscular tension. Painful knots and trigger points in one area can be the cause of chronic pain in other areas. This is due to the involvement of the muscles and joints. Trigger point massage focuses on specific areas of muscles and connective tissues that have a high level of neurological activity and deactivating myofascial trigger points. Muscle tissue that has become knotted and lacks sufficient blood flow will be painful and will benefit from massage. Poor posture can be the cause of a trigger point. "Knots" are commonly used to describe tight fascia which is also made up of waste products and lactic acid. Trigger point pain is usually deep and achy and usually worse with movement. Trigger points can be affected by age, posture, stress, weight, scar tissue, and illness.

This helps with pain from the neck, shoulders, upper and lower back and glutes. It is also helpful for people who suffer with headaches and TMJ - Temporomandibular joint / jaw pain. This technique also enhances the circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Link - Contact me to book 

How does emotional stress have an affect on my muscle health ?

Stress is a recognised cause of muscle tension in people, by the end of a stressful day we can feel that our shoulders are up by our ears, our neck aches and shoulders hurt.  This is due to stress and anxiety stimulating the nervous system. The heightened state of the nervous system stimulates the muscular system resulting in contractions deep in the muscle tissue, known as Neuromuscular hypertension. The body then adapts to this and the contraction remains in the muscles whether we are still stressed or not. Which is why it is an important life skill to try and manage your stress levels, massage is one of the those ways to manage stress, lower cortisol levels and relax the muscle contraction.