Sports Massage

Anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through activities such as aerobics, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, tennis or strength training can benefit from a Sports Massage.

Sports Massage has become an integral part of new training programmes, not only with professional athletes but also with the amateur trainer who is incorporating sports into their daily life.A qualified sports massage therapist can bring a variety of skills into your treatment.

If you are in need of a Sports Massage near West Malling, Harmonia Therapies has you covered.

As people realise that a workout routine includes not only the exercise itself but also caring for the wear and tear that can occur with any form of exercise, from gardening at the weekend to training 5 days a week in the gym.

Book your appointment for a Sports Massage Maidstone using our ONLINE booking system.

For all your Sports Massage in Kings Hill needs, we combine 20 years of experience with post massage advice and self care techniques.

From stretches to nutrition, there are always other factors that can be discussed during your Sports Massage session.

What happens when you exercise?

We all hear about the physical and psychological benefits of regular exercise; improves cardiovascular capacity, tones and strengthens muscle, increase flexibility and the production of endorphins which promote a sense of well being, creating a 'natural high'.

These changes occur as the body adapts to the greater demands of exercise, the body improves its functioning to meet the challenges placed on it. However to make these improvements we must push the body to greater limits which can cause their own side effects. This is where Sports Massage has been proven to be of great benefit.

The advance skills such as deep tissue massage technique can really increase the restrictions and aid repair.

Sports Massage Techniques

Every activity or sport uses muscle groups in different ways. A Sports Massage Therapist will be familiar with each muscle and group and how they may be affected by the specific movements involved with the activity.

Rachel Hawkes, as a Sports Massage Therapist utilises several different techniques in order to manipulate the muscles associated with each activity. Some of the techniques include:

Deep Tissue Massage

Taking the traditional form of Swedish Massage including: effleurage, tapotement and petrissage but applying to the deeper layers of muscle fibres, not just the superficial layers.

Muscle Energy Technique (MET)

This includes a group of techniques that stretch, strengthen and break down fibrous adhesions to muscles. They involve using the clients own effort and movement to assist the therapist to manipulate the muscles.

Neuro Muscular Facilitation (NMT)

If there is any damage to a muscle's fibres there will be a change in the tension in the tissue. This tension is controlled by the nervous system and is part of the body's defence mechanism to prevent any further damage. Rachel will work at a neuromuscular level to relieve this tension.

Soft Tissue Release (STR)

A hybrid of techniques that allow the therapist to stretch the muscles individually or in groups as required.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

By stimulating the lymphatic system the effective removal of waste products linked with exercise (such as lactic acid) is achieved.

Heat

Being able to add in heat to a session can offer an immediate way of assisting the muscles to relax, allowing for deeper and less painful work.

By utilising either hot Lava shells of hot stones, the muscles are softened during the massage.

Other

Any combination of the above can be utilised to ensure that a tailored treatment is provided, a variety of these combined with the therapists use of thumbs, elbows and forearms and adding other techniques such as vibrations, rocking, shaking and acupressure give the therapist the tools to assist with almost any client.

When Is Sports Massage Required?

Preventative Massage

The age old adage of 'prevention is better than cure' is the main preface to any sports massage. By preparing the body for exercise you reduce the risk of injury and are able to to work with each client to maximise the benefits of their training programme and create optimal performance through injury free training. This is usually referred to as Maintenance Massage or Preventative Massage, and is ongoing for all athletes who train on a regular basis.

Pre-Event Massage

A Pre-Event Sports Massage is given within several hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is of a shorter duration lasting between 10-15 minutes and is used as a supplement to any warm up and enhances circulation to the required muscles and reduced mental tension prior to the performance.

Post-Event Massage

As the name suggests this massage is performed after the event and is mainly concerned improving the recovery of the athlete. The massage lasts 15-20 minutes and focuses on removal of waste products and cooling the muscles down slowly. An injury that has occurred during the event can also be dealt with at this stage, normally using the principles of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation).

Rehabilitation Massage / Injury

Even with maintenance and pre and post massages everyone suffers from injury at some time. This can appear as muscle soreness and can be caused by several factors; minor muscle damage, or spasm, build up of waste products such as lactic acid, or more severe damage such as rips or tears to muscle fibres. The Sports Massage Therapist can ascertain the possible cause of the pain or soreness and treat many of the injuries using a combination of the techniques discussed (see above). Any undiagnosed injury may be referred to medical care if deemed appropriate.

Time to book

Book your sports massage with Rachel Hawkes – using our online booking system, Fresha.

BOOK HERE

The legal stuff

Book your treatment today

Contact Harmonia for more information or to make a booking for a personal or corporate consultation.

Take the guesswork out of when there is availability and book your appointment using our online booking system, Fresha.

BOOK HERE

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