Benefits of Soft Tissue Massage
Sports massage is defined as a manipulation of the soft tissue structures. It can be used in a preventative, corrective and therapeutic form and has many physical, physiological and psychological benefits.
Regular Sports massage aims to increase joint mobility, reduce the risk of injury and increase flexibly. The act of massage itself increases blood flow which in turn delivers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles whilst removing any waste products such as lactic acid.
We use a range of techniques to remove adhesions and muscles tensions and lengthen and relax muscles. These are known as trigger pointing, STR's (Soft Tissue release) and MET (Muscle Energy Techniques)
Medical Acupuncture
Medical acupuncture, also known as dry needling involves the insertion of needles into trigger points in order to restore muscle function, alleviate pain, and increase healing.
There are multiple mechanisms to dry needling. The insertion of needles sends an 'injury' signal to the brain which initiates the repairing process of the damaged tissue. When the needle is inserted into a trigger point a 'muscle twitch response' is elicited, this then causes the muscle fibres to relax, inflammation to be reduced and circulation to be increased.
Needle insertion also effects the electrical and chemical communications in the nervous system. Needling can inhibit pain signals and stimulates the release of opioids (pain relieving chemicals.)
Pre & Post Natal Massage
Massage has been used during pregnancy by midwives since the 16th century. Much like all soft tissue therapy, it's use pre and post pregnancy has developed over time.
The human body undergoes a lot of strain during pregnancy with changes to soft tissue structures and joints and massage has great effects both physiologically and psychologically.
Massage can prepare the woman physically and emotionally for Labour. And post natally massage is a great help with the added strain of holding/carrying a baby. Post cesarian section, scar massage is greatly recommended to minimise the effects of the scar tissue both internally and externally.
About Emily
Emily graduated from Kingston University in 2014 with a degree in Human Biology and Sports Science. She has always had an interest in sports injuries and treatments and in 2021 qualified as a Level 3 & 4 sports massage therapist. Emily also offers pre and post natal massage and and having dealt with many women who have had c-sections this led her onto becoming a qualified Scar Therapy Practitioner. In 2023 Emily also qualified in medical acupuncture.
Emily has been involved in competitive sport since a young age. Having rowed for the past 13 years she is now a keen cyclist and runner and is always off doing some sporting adventure or another.
Anatripsis....the meaning
The word Anatripsis comes from the ancient Greek language, meaning ‘The use of friction or rubbing as therapy, a form of massage’.
The Ancient Greeks had an awareness of the benefits of deep friction massage and often used olive oil and massage to treat athletes pre and post sport.
Ancient physicians and philosophers such as Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about how massage helped to reduce muscle fatigue, remove lactic acid and prevent injury. In the centuries gone we have adapted, modified and advanced these massage techniques but it all stems back to Anatripsis.