About Sports Massage Farnham

Sports massage in Farnham was originally designed to correct tightness and imbalance arising in the soft tissues of hard training athletes. A number of soft tissue techniques are used to release muscles, tendons connective tissue and ligaments, which in turn will aid joint function. Sports massage can be used to help recovery from injury and also as part of a maintenance strategy to keep you moving well.

As a yoga teacher in Farnham of many years, I will advise around strengthening and flexibility exercises.

The benefits are as valuable for desk-bound workers as they are to those with more physical jobs. The old adage of prevention is better than cure holds true in our bodies. If imbalances or weakness are detected and treated early injuries are less likely to happen. This follows for any tightness or niggles which may arise from sport or overuse, treat early and avoid an escalation of pain and dysfunction.

There are a variety of techniques used for different purposes:

• Effleurage - Long sweeping strokes with a fairly light pressure to warm the muscles, aid lymphatic flow, blood circulation, relax and prepare the client for deeper work.
• Petrissage - Think of kneading dough, this is a very similar technique used on the muscles by compressing and releasing. Muscles and connective tissues are stretched improving muscle tone. The skin is stimulated and regenerated from increased activity in the underlying vascular and lymphatic structures. Aids the elimination of waste products such as lactic acid and depending on the  stroke speed can be relaxing or stimulating.
• Friction - A deeper stroke often using thumbs or fingers used repetitively to break down localised areas of adhesion or fibrous nodules which are dense, tight areas of chronically contracted muscle. Other benefits include breaking down scar tissue and the realignment of haphazardly aligned fibres in healing muscle tears.
• Percussion/ Tapotement - Used to stimulate circulation and superficial nerves, also to help dislodge and free mucous form the lungs.
• Muscle Energy Technique - The client activates a muscle against resistance, an isometric contraction, this helps the muscle to relax through autogenic inhibition. Subsequently, the therapist lengthens or stretches the muscle with the aim of increasing flexibility, reducing pain and aiding mobility where tight muscles cross joints.
• Trigger Points - This is a sustained pressure held over specific points of a muscle where adhesion present. Pressure remains constant for around 20 to 30 seconds while the client focuses on their breath and relaxing. Tightly bunched and contracted muscle fibres respond well and normally soften to some degree with this technique.
• Soft Tissue Release - A stretching and palpation technique for lengthening muscles, tendons and fascia (connective tissue). The therapist 'locks'  down into different points along a muscle to stretch specifically into any area, often using a limb to lever the stretch. In the USA it is called pin and stretch.
• Myofascial Release - Gentle sustained pressure is used to correct restrictions in the connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore mobility.

Treatment Protocol

Initial appointments are 1hr 15 minutes in order to make a thorough assessment and to discern the best course of treatment, price £60.

Subsequent appointments are £45 per hour and include a diverse range of techniques from my multi-disciplined skill base.