Therapies at Glencairn House
What is massage?
Massage is the practice of soft tissue manipulation with physical (anatomical), functional (physiological), and in some cases psychological purposes and goals.
Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet.
Sports Massage
Massage, applied skilfully, is the most effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal system. Received regularly, this may help athletes avoid injuries,which might otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments and tendons, as well as theon muscles themselves.
These muscle imbalances may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. The skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and, by using the correct techniques, help the sports person maintain a much healthier physical state. It may therefore be reasonably claimed that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping prevent injury.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fibre) and vibration/shaking.
Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and in improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation.
Rachel Baker
S.A.C. Dip.
I have always enjoyed sports and soon became passionate about my fitness and health. As an enthusiastic distance runner and triathlete, I experienced sports massage first-hand and quickly learnt the benefits, which then encouraged me to enter into the practice of sports massage, holistic massage, hot stone and aromatherapy massage.
I strongly believe that regular massage can help prevent injury, speed recovery and assist in a better quality of training.
We can all benefit from massage, whatever our chosen lifestyle. It can assist in an increased range of motion, help decrease muscle tension and pain reduction, keeping us more mobile and active. It is also very helpful to those who suffer from anxiety and stress.
Whatever your goal – from a park run to an ironman, or if you are wanting to be a little more active – I always recommend a massage as part of your training plan.
Catherine Stonebridge
I have been a qualified personal trainer and class instructor for 15 years and added the sports massage to my qualifications 8 years ago.
Whether you just sit at a desk or compete in triathlons, there’s always a good reason for a sports massage to keep the body working as efficiently as it should.
