Key Indicators for Sports Massage & Myofascial Release treatment?

I love treating my clients and achieving positive results together, perhaps hitting a PB, walking longer, returning back in the pool, getting up and feeling ready to go!  I am often amazed at how much pain and discomfort we all put up with!  I know we all feel and accept different levels of pain but we must recognise when something doesn't feel right, seek professional advice and treatment.  


So, I thought it useful to share with you some key indicators when and why to seek Sports Massage and/or Myofascial Release treatment. The need for treatment of course varies in type, frequency and intensity as everyone is different and as a Soft Tissue Specialist I use techniques which I feel relevant for you and your reasons for treatment and promote self-care and rehab exercises.

Key indicators that you might need a Massage

Injury - a recent soft tissue sports injury, accident or operation, e.g. sprained ankle, Achilles tear, groin strain, back pain, Whiplash, post-operative scar tissue.  Massage is appropriate any time after the acute phase, which is generally 3-5 days after the injury occurred, and is when the initial inflammation has subsided and you are able move the effected area more or weight bear and walk. Whilst treatment directly on the trauma area may not be appropriate in the early stage post injury, treating around the area and limiting any compensatory niggles is key along with relaxing.  Going forward the aim is to aid the recovery and healing process and break down and prevent scar tissue formation in order to encourage and develop the full range of movement and strength.

Sporting maintenance & performance — it is common to see elite athletes receiving sports massages pre and post-events, AND it is just as important for all of us who enjoy participating in sport and exercise in order to keep healthy, happy and challenged. The benefits of Massage are many — the main one for training and performance is it aids the soft tissue healing process. Post exercise the soft tissues need to heal and hands-on treatments are proven to help the body recover quicker, hence enabling us to continue to train, increase our performance and helping to minimise overuse injuries. Read here for more info on how Massag supports training

Niggles, Pain, Headaches - the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is a feeling in response to exercise, we don’t always feel this but generally we do after a different type, intensity or volume of exercise (read here for more information on DOMS). A “niggle” which perhaps we notice whilst or post exercise and then it disappears only to reoccur with exercise, don't let it build into something more than a niggle. Or a crick in the neck from sleeping, or neck and headache, or perhaps back pain from gardening that lingers?  Recovering from surgery. Don't let pain become a focus, seek advice & treatment.

Restricted range of movement — noticing when you feel stiff, restricted movement or a certain movement causes pain. The soft tissues influence our joints ability to move and when there is a restriction a joint can’t move efficiently, so over time the body will adapt, "get used to" a posture or position and this can compromise other joints and cause soft tissue pain elsewhere. Using advanced stretch and Massage techniques the aim is to increase the comfortable range of movement which creates an opportunity for you to move more and the body to re-familiarise itself with this movement too.


Tiredness & Fatigue - we all lead busy lives and juggle many balls, ongoing tiredness is a top sign that you may need a restorative Massage. If you have not been sleeping well, drained of energy, muscle tiredness and fatigue, recovering from an operation or illness hands-on treatment allows you to stop, take time for yourself and feel how your body is. Massage treatment can have a positive effect on our nervous system allowing our sympathetic nervous system (our heightened alert/fight) activity to decrease and increase our parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s natural rest and digest activities.


Feeling Stressed or Anxious - the power of touch through Massage therapy is great and promotes relaxation, a chance to focus on you, how your body feels and hence quietening the busy mind. Mindfulness through Massage.


Or Just Needing a Massage- your own intuition!


I also want to add treating through Pregnancy and Oncology treatment (treating those affected by cancer, both through and post treatment) as I hold additional qualifications for both. 

Pregnancy

The body adapts in amazing ways through Pregnancy however these natural physical adaptions can cause pain, particularly owing to the additional weight and size as the baby grows (please read more here).

Oncology

Treating through or post treatment for cancer is always a gentle to offer comfort, relaxation and reduce tension, pain and anxiety and is adapted to suit your needs, the stage of your disease and your treatment (please read more here).

Of course whether you need a Massage or not, getting a professional treatment is more likely to leave you feeling better and happier. So don’t worry about whether you really need a Massage, book a treatment and  I find most people hugely benefit!

Any questions please do let me know.


* Note - of course, with all of these symptoms they can be indicative of other conditions in which alternative treatments or therapies might be more suitable.

Nicky Holbrook
Sports Massage & Remedial Therapy, Myofascial Release Therapy, Soft Tissue Specialist